The CIA was involved in the suicide bombing in southeast Iran that killed 36 people,Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar charged today.
From the inspection of equipment obtained from the terrorist elements of this crime,it has become clear that the CIA and other spy agencies were involved, he was quoted as saying on state televisions website.
The minister did not give details.
Iranian officials previously accused US and British intelligence services of having a hand in Wednesdays attack in the city of Chabahar but without naming any specific agency.
The attack on a Shiite religious procession was claimed by Sunni militant group Jundallah (Army of God),which says it is fighting for the rights of the regions Sunni ethnic Baluchi community against Irans Shiite regime.
Iranian media today said the death toll has climbed to 36 from the suicide bombing on the eve of the climax of the annual Shiite mourning ritual of Ashura,while dozens of others were wounded.
Nine people linked to the bombing have reportedly been arrested.