Iran blames US allies for attack

TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday accused an unnamed U.S.-allied country in the Persian Gulf of being behind a terror attack on a military parade that killed 25 people and wounded 60.

At the same time, Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned Western diplomats over their alleged provision of havens for the Arab separatists who claimed responsibility for Saturday's attack in the southwestern city of Ahvaz.

Iran's moves and promises of revenge by the country's elite Revolutionary Guard come as the country already faces turmoil in the wake of the American withdrawal from Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers.

Rouhani's remarks could refer to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates or Bahrain — close U.S. military allies that view Iran as a regional menace because of its support for militant groups across the Middle East.

"All of those small mercenary countries that we see in this region are backed by America. It is Americans who instigate them and provide them with necessary means to commit these crimes," Rouhani said before leaving for the U.N. General Assembly in New York.

Iran, meanwhile, summoned diplomats from Britain, Denmark and the Netherlands early Sunday for allegedly harboring "members of the terrorist group" that launched the attack. Danish Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen condemned the attack and stressed that there would be "consequences" if it turns out that those responsible have connections to Denmark.