Iran decries US support for terrorism

"There are many documents and pieces of evidence confirming that terrorist groups are recognized by the arrogant powers and the United States in particular and are financially supported," Shahroudi said in a meeting with the Pakistani ambassador to Tehran, Mohammad Abbasi, on Monday.

"It is a big mistake to think that the US seeks to stop the activities of terrorist groups because it still provides all-out support to terrorists," he continued.

Ayatollah Shahroudi said such support for terrorism should encourage regional countries to resolve their problems through convergence and cooperation.

He made his remarks after the Pakistan-based Jundullah terror group claimed responsibility for a mosque blast in the southeastern Iranian city of Zahedan, which left 25 people killed and 125 others wounded.

The group said that the attack was part of its efforts to destabilize the country and warned of a new campaign of violence ahead of the June 12 presidential elections. It was not the first time that Jundullah has struck on Iranian soil.

Ayatollah Shahroudi called on the Iranian nation to remain vigilant against enemy conspiracies and said, "Iranians will definitely thwart the plots hatched by the enemy and its allies in every part of the country."

Jundullah's ring leader, Abdolmalek Rigi, has called on Sunni clerics to dishearten people from voting, threatening to assassinate those who choose to do otherwise.

A 2007 ABC News report revealed that the Jundallah terrorist group "has been secretly encouraged and advised by American officials" to destabilize the government in Iran.

Rigi has however denied any links to Washington, describing the group as a 'national movement' rather than a terrorist cell.

The Obama White House has also moved to distance itself from the terrorist attacks in the Iranian city of Zahedan.

"The United States strongly condemns the recent terrorist attacks inside Iran," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a statement on Friday.