Iran president survives assassination bid

TEHRAN: A grenade exploded on Wednesday near the motorcade of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the western city of Hamedan, but the Iranian president was unhurt, a conservative website reported.

"This morning a hand grenade exploded next to a vehicle carrying reporters accompanying the president in Hamedan," Khabaronline.ir said. "Ahmadinejad's car was 100 meters (yards) away and he was not hurt."

The website said the alleged attacker was detained.

Ahmadinejad later delivered a live televised speech to locals gathered in a stadium but made no reference to the alleged incident, which has not yet been reported by any news agencies and other sources.

The hardliner claimed this week that "Zionists" want to assassinate him.

Iran denies grenade attack on Ahmadinejad

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's motorcade was not attacked by a grenade on Wednesday, an official in his media office told AFP, explaining that an explosion was from a "firecracker."

"It was a firecracker, and a statement will be released soon," the source said.

Iran's Arabic-language Al-Alam TV reported that the firecracker was set off to cheer the president.

Ahmadinejad later delivered a live televised speech to locals gathered in a stadium and made no reference to the alleged incident.