Int'l community condemns suicide bombings in Iran, death toll rises

"This senseless act of terrorism at a place of worship makes it all the more reprehensible," the statement said.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez also voiced condemnation.

"The Venezuelan government and people express their deepest sympathy to the relatives of the victims of this coward crime, carried out with irrational hate against a group of innocent people," said a statement issued by the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry.

Media reports said the second bomb was detonated when people rushed to the scene about 20 minutes after the first blast, obviously in an attempt to maximize the casualties.

Abdolmalek Rigi, leader of the Jundallah group, was executed last month after being convicted of charges including armed robbery, bombings in public places, among others.

Iranian officials have said the group has links to the United States.

The Washington Post said in a Saturday report that Iran has "an apparent attempt to hold the United States at least partly responsible."

"America aims to support those grouplets who are able to carry out terrorist operations in Iran," Iranian state radio was quoted as saying.

Iran has long accused Washington of supporting separatist groups active in the country's western and eastern border areas.

Soon after the attacks, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a statement on Thursday, saying that "the United States condemns all forms of terrorism and sectarian-driven violence, wherever it occurs."