Three Iranian guards killed in attack near Iraq border

At least three Iranian security guards were killed in an attack on a police car in west Iran bordering Iraq, media reported Wednesday.

"In a terrorist attack in Salas Babajani region of Kermanshah province last night, three police guards were killed," Xinhua quoted Shahriar Heidari, a provincial security official, as telling Fars news agency Wednesday.

"The police guards were patrolling near Tazehabad town when they were targeted by the armed men," Heidari said.

Terrorist groups were probably behind the attack, he said, adding that the commander and the deputy commander of Tazehabad outpost were among those killed.

An unnamed police official denied that the attackers were Iraqi Sunni militants who might have crossed Iran's border.

Following the recent developments in Iraq, Iranian officials said the Islamic republic has boosted security along its borders with Iraq.

In the past, Iran's western provinces have been the scene of sporadic armed clashes between Iranian security forces and opposition groups.