Iran says Israel attacked own embassy staff 'to tarnish Tehran-New Delhi's friendly ties'

Tehran, Feb 14 (ANI): Iran has blamed Israel for carrying out attack on its own embassy members in New Delhi to "tarnish Iran's friendly ties with India."

According to the state-run Islamic Republican News Agency, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast made the warring allegations after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Iran for launching a bomb attack on the Israeli embassy vehicle on Monday that wounded four people.

The wife of an Israeli defense envoy to New Delhi was badly injured along with three other people when the car was destroyed by an explosive device placed on it by a motorcyclist at a red light.

In Tbilisi, the Georgian capital, a similar device was discovered on the car of a local staff member of the Israeli Embassy, but was defused by the police.

According to The Los Angeles Times, Israelis have been fearful they could be targeted abroad.

More than a week ago, the Israeli chief of domestic security agency said Iranian agents were trying to hit Israeli targets in Turkey, Thailand and elsewhere to retaliate for alleged killings of Iranian nuclear scientists, Haaretz reported.

Iran, however, claims that there is a covert campaign of assassinations run by Israel and the CIA to halt its nuclear ambitions. (ANI)