From the BBC NEWS | Middle East | "Bombs kill several in Iran city"

Four bombs have exploded in the south-western Iranian city of Ahwaz, killing at least five people and wounding dozens.

Horrifying:

One of the bombs exploded outside the governor general's headquarters. Three more went off near government offices over a two-hour period.

Some reports put the total death toll at eight. At least 30 were injured.

The deputy governor of Khuzestan, Gholam Reza Shariati, said women and children were among the casualties.

Possible motives for this depraved act of terrorism may include:

Ahwaz is the capital of the oil-rich province of Khuzestan.

The trouble in April started after a letter circulated on the internet suggested that non-Arabs were being-relocated to the city to dilute its ethnic Arab population.

Crowds attacked government offices and banks, setting them on fire, and hundreds of people were arrested.

The official who was supposed to have written the letter said it was a forgery.

The silence shattered
Thousand thunders, women's screams
Blood, debris and tears.

Almighty Father, may you draw your grieving children close to you.
May you strengthen the families of those lost
May you console them in their mourning.
May you spread your Spirit among them
and grant them peace in this time of horror.

We ask this through your son our Lord, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, forever and ever, Amen.