The authorities in Iran have appealed to the United States and Europe to stop the activities of the armed opposition group, Mujahedin Khalq, which has several offices overseas.

The group has said it was behind a string of bomb attacks that killed three people and injured others in Teheran this week.

The former President of Iran, Akbar Rafsanjani, welcomed a statement from the US, condemning what it called terrorist acts.

But, he said, if Washington was serious, it should close down Mujahedin Khalq offices.

The Mujahedin Khalq is based in Iraq but emigres in other countries run a support network.