Blasts rock Tehran

The attack is said to be connected to clashes last week

Several explosions have been reported in the Iranian capital Tehran, close to the Intelligence Ministry.

Residents of the Seyed Khandan district said they heard up to 19 blasts in the area at around 2130 (1700 GMT).

In a statement, the Iraq-based armed opposition group, the People's Mujahideen, said it had carried out the attack.

President Khatami: Survived a Mujahideen attack in February

Police and members of the Islamic Basij militia sealed off the district, preventing journalists and onlookers from approaching. Witnesses said they saw ambulances racing from the scene.

Central Tehran has been the target of periodic mortar attacks, claimed by the People's Mujahideen.

Electricity to the area of north-eastern Tehran was briefly cut off following Saturday's explosions. There are no reports of casualties.

Retaliation

The Mujahideen said several of its military units had launched an attack on the main headquarters of the Intelligence Ministry in which 20 mortar rounds were fired.

The statement said ministry had suffered "substantial damage" and that "a number of intelligence ministry agents were killed or wounded". A ministerial spokesman told the AFP news agency that there were no casualties, however.

The Mujahideen added that the attack was in response to last week's "suppression" of student demonstrations in Tehran.

At least 10 people were injured last Saturday in clashes outside Tehran University when conservative militias and riot police broke up fighting between reformist and conservative students.

The clashes followed a peaceful demonstration that had been called to mark the first anniversary of violent clashes at the university that left at least three dead.

Targets

Police stations, military barracks and government offices have been the most frequent targets of Mujahideen attacks.

Six people were injured in a Mujahideen mortar attack near Tehran's police headquarters in May.

Another attack in March killed one person and injured several others.

An attack in February on the offices of President Mohammad Khatami killed one man. The president, who was in another part of the building, was unharmed.