Video - Explosions Target Iranian Embassy in Beirut – at least 23 People Killed, injures 146.

Explosions Target Iranian Embassy in Beirut – at least 23 People Killed, injures 146.(RT).

The al-Qaeda-linked Abdullah Azzam brigades said on Tuesday they were behind double suicide attack on Iranian embassy in Beirut 

Two blasts near the Iranian embassy in Beirut killed at least 23 people, injuring 146 and causing havoc and a massive fire in the Lebanese capital. Six buildings were reportedly destroyed in the embassy compound.

According to a local news source, Almanar News, the harrowing scene was caused by 100kg of TNT loaded into a Renault Rapid. Security sources on the ground said there were two blasts - the first caused by a person on a motorbike, while the second was by a suicide bomber who tried to ram the compound with the car.

Witnesses at the scene reported that they occurred within one or two minutes of each other.

Injured people and destroyed buildings were seen on very disturbing pictures circulated by Lebanese media in the immediate aftermath.The Iranian cultural attaché was also killed in the attack.

Witnesses speaking to Al Arabiya reported seeing smoke rising from the battered embassy compound, while footage from the bloody scene showed raging fires, with the death toll rising by the minute.

It is not clear who was behind the attack at this time, but the area where the blasts occurred is significant in two ways: it is considered to be a stronghold for the Lebanese Shiite faction, Hezbollah. And secondly, it is a popular area and a home to many families of Iranian diplomats working in Lebanon.

The Iranian ambassador to Lebanon reacted promptly to the situation, saying that it was beyond any doubt that the embassy was the target of the attack and placing blame on a "Zionist entity." He added that such attacks only "keep us strong and proves the righteousness of our stances." Minutes before it was reported that the Iranian cultural adviser for Lebanon was wounded in the blast, but shortly thereafter succumbed to his injuries.

Iran's foreign ministry subsequently added that the blast was the work of Israeli mercenaries.

Syrian information minister Omran Zoabi to al-Manar has come out with a similar opinion, saying that Israeli and Saudi intelligence are behind the explosions.

Lebanon and Iran enjoy close relations, both having a large Shiite population.

This is not the first attack that has occurred in the area. Hezbollah compounds have come under frequent fire before, especially as Sunni-on-Shia tensions have begun to mirror each other across the Middle East.

“Whoever did this is a monstrous terrorist...The resistance (Hezbollah) message is that it will continue. It will continue in all its efforts to defeat Israel and defeat the terrorists,” said Ali Ammar, a Hezbollah official.