ZAHEDAN, Iran, July 18 (UPI) -- Iranian police said Saturday they had arrested 40 people during riots following twin bombings outside a Zahedan mosque that killed at least 27 people.

Ahmad Reza Radan, Iran's deputy police chief, told Fars News Agency the suspects had sought to "create insecurity but the police, supported by the people, arrested them."


"Unfortunately, two law enforcement police forces were martyred during the incident and 10 others were injured, some of them in critical conditions," he said.

Radan blamed foreigners for the recent instability in the region.

In addition to those killed in Thursday's bombings, more than 270 others were injured, Fars News Agency said.