Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Iran Hangs 16 to Avenge Guards Deaths An Iranian judicial official says authorities have hanged 16 rebels, just hours after gunmen ambushed and killed 14 Iranian border guards. Iran`s semiofficial Fars news agency quotes the official (Mohammad Marzieh) as saying the rebels linked to groups hostile to the Iranian government were executed Saturday in response to the attack. There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the killing of the guards outside Saravan in a mountainous region near Pakistan. The attack took place along a trail used by drug traffickers. Authorities were reported to be investigating whether the ambush was carried out by drug smugglers or rebels. Iran is a major transit route for drugs that originate in Afghanistan and is trafficked across Iranian territory, with much of it bound for Western countries. __________________________________________________________________ [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/iran-hangs-16-to-avenge-guards-deaths /1777498.html References 1. http://www.voanews.com/content/iran-hangs-16-to-avenge-guards-deaths/1777498.html