Gen Pakpour, whose deputy Gen Nour Ali Shoushtari was the most senior officer killed in the attack, said there would be retribution.

“The Guards will give a very harsh and crushing response to this group, so the group will never be able to launch another act like this in the country,” he said.

The Islamic regime in Iran regularly blames all opposition on America and Britain, but there have been claims outside the country for a number of years that the Bush administration provided funding to Jundullah, the militant group which claimed responsibility for the attack on Sunday.