Iran army parade attack toll rises to 29, President vows crushing response

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani vowed a "crushing response" to Saturday's attack on a military parade in the city of Ahvaz near the Iraqi border that left at least 29 people dead.

"The response of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the smallest threat will be crushing", Rouhani said in a statement on his official website. "Those who give intelligence and propaganda support to these terrorists must answer for it."

Twenty-nine people were killed on Saturday when gunmen opened fire on an army parade in southwestern Iran, a state television reported.

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Islamic State group has claimed the responsibility of the attack onarmy parade attack

Citing a security source, Islamic State's propaganda agency Amaq said: "Islamic State fighters attacked a gathering of Iranian forces in the city of Ahvaz in southern Iran".

While three terrorists were killed on the spot in a counter-attack, the fourth attacker who was injured died in the hospital.

Half of the people killed in the attack were the members of the Revolutionary Guards, state news agencies reported.

The casualties also included anumber of non-military victims, including women and children who had come to watch the parade.