AKIPRESS.COM - Several people were killed and up to 20 wounded when unknown gunmen opened fire during a military parade in the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz on Saturday, state television reported, Reuters reports.

State television said the attack targeted a stand where officials were gathered to watch the annual event, marking the start of the country’s 1980-88 war with Iraq.

Iran was holding similar parades in several cities including the capital Tehran and the port of Bandar Abbas on the Gulf.

“Shooting began by several gunmen from behind the stand during the parade. There are several killed and injured,” a correspondent told state television.

Semi-official news agency Mehr said further shooting broke out as some of the attackers who managed to escape were being chased.

State television blamed “takfiri elements”, a reference to Sunni militants, for the attack. Ahvaz is in the center of Khuzestan province, which has been the site of sporadic protests by Iran’s Arab minority.