IRANIAN authorities have blamed terrorists for a gun attack in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, in which an Iranian diplomat died.

Ali Asghar Assadi was shot as he was leaving the Iranian ambassador's residence yesterday. He was taken to hospital but died from his injuries.

An Iranian foreign ministry spokeswoman said: "A group of terrorists attacked a diplomat from our embassy in one of the streets of Sanaa, attempting to kidnap him. But, because the diplomat resisted, the terrorists opened fire on him.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns this incident."