"Terrorists" seek to undermine the power of the Islamic Republic in one of its provinces. Now, that's news you don't hear every day.Several top commanders in Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have been killed in a suicide bombing in the volatile south-east of the country.
Iranian state media say at least 20 people have died in the attack, in the province of Sistan-Baluchistan, and dozens more injured.
The commanders were in Pishin region for a meeting with tribal leaders.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which was condemned by Iran's Parliamentary Speaker.
Iran has previously accused a Sunni resistance group, Jundallah, of terrorist activities in the province.
Sistan-Baluchistan is mainly made up of the Baluchi ethnic group who are Sunni Muslims, some of whom oppose Shia rule.
'Terrorist' attack
The deputy commander of the Guards' ground force, General Noor Ali Shooshtari, and the Guards' chief provincial commander, Rajab Ali Mohammadzadeh, were among the dead, Irna state news agency reported.
Parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani, speaking at an open session of parliament which was broadcast live of state radio, said: "We express our condolences for their martyrdom.
"The intention of the terrorists was definitely to disrupt security in Sistan-Baluchistan Province."
Sistan-Baluchistan province, which borders both Pakistan and Afghanistan, has long been affected by smuggling, drug trafficking, banditry and kidnapping.
Jundallah, also known as the Popular Resistance Movement of Iran, says it is fighting against the political and religious oppression of the country's Sunni minority.
In May, three men were executed for their role in a bombing of a mosque during evening prayers which killed at least 19 people in the south-east city of Zahedan in Sistan-Baluchistan.
The hangings came two days after the attack and the men were in custody on other charges at the time of the bombing.
Revolutionary Guards were among 11 people killed in an attack in 2007 in Zahedan.
It will be very interesting whether the US has to ultimately give tacit support one or the other, especially if these "Jundallah" guys turn out to have contacts with the Taliban and/or Al-Q. The Pentagon/State Dept. probably know if they do, but in any case, we'd be well advised to wait and see what else is going on before saying anything.