Some fear that blasts may exacerbate political in-fighting

The raids on two of Iran’s most highly-protected sites will jolt both the country’s recently re-elected President Hassan Rouhani, and his political rivals among the hardline clerics as well as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, who are responsible for national security. Senior officials have repeatedly described their country as an “island of stability” in the past.

In an appeal to unity, Mr. Rouhani’s chief of staff Hamid Aboutalebi took to Twitter to praise the security services. “If these attacks had happened in any other city in Europe or in the world, it would have left many casualties. Applause to the power and firmness of our revolutionary guards, basij, police and security forces,” he wrote.

Two senior government officials, who asked not to be named, said the blasts might exacerbate political in-fighting. “They [hardliners] are very angry and will use every opportunity to grow in strength to isolate Rouhani,” said one of them.

Regional policy

The other said the attacks, and speculation over who backed them, would push Iran toward “a harsher regional policy”.

The Intelligence Ministry called on people to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement. Despite unconfirmed reports of a hostage situation, state television said Parliament had resumed, and broadcast footage of what it said was the opening session proceeding normally. “Some coward terrorists infiltrated one of the buildings of Parliament. They were confronted. It was not a major issue. Our security forces have taken necessary steps,” Speaker Ali Larijani said.

Attacks are highly rare in Tehran and other major cities though two Sunni militant groups, Jaish al-Adl and Jundallah, have been waging a deadly insurgency, mostly in more remote areas, for almost a decade.