EU condemns attacks against Israelis in India, Georgia

(BRUSSELS) - European Union foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton joined virulent international condemnation Monday of twin attacks in New Delhi and Tbilisi blamed by Israel on Iran.

High Representative Catherine Ashton "condemns in the strongest terms todays attacks targeting personnel of the Israeli embassies in India and Georgia," said a statement expressing "sincere sympathy with those who have been wounded."

Ashton said no distinction could be drawn between state foreign service employees and other citizens, saying attacks on diplomatic missions "cannot be justified under any circumstances."

A hitman on a motorbike fixed a suspected magnetic bomb on an Israeli embassy car that exploded in a ball of flames in central New Delhi, while in Tbilisi, police were able to defuse another car bomb before it went off.

"Iran is behind these attacks," said Israeli Prime Minister Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu. "It is the biggest exporter of terror in the world."

The EU on Friday pushed India to use its influence to get Iran to resume talks over its disputed nuclear drive, a day after New Delhi said it wanted to boost trade with the Islamic republic.

India, a major buyer of Iranian oil, has emerged as a potential spoiler as Western nations look to ratchet up pressure to force Tehran to abandon its atomic programme, which Iran insists is for peaceful purposes.