An Iranian interior ministry official is reported to have criticised the country's judiciary for failing to try suspects held in connection with an attack on two government ministers in September.

The Iranian state news agency quoted Ashraf Borujerdi, who's in charge of women's affairs, as saying that although the assailants had been identified, no verdict had yet been issued against them.

Hardline militants were reported to have assaulted the liberal vice-president, Abdollah Nouri and the Culture Minister, Ataollah Mohajerani, at a public ceremony in Tehran.

Correspondents say that because no-one has been brought to justice, there a widespread belief that the militants enjoy the support of influential conservative circles.