Iranian security forces have foiled an attempt to blow up an oil pipeline in a southwestern province.

Iranian security forces have foiled an attempt to blow up an oil pipeline in a southwestern province.

Bahram Ilkhas-Zadeh, governor of the city of Abadan in the oil-rich region of Khuzestan, said a bomb was discovered Saturday on the pipeline linking Abadan to Mahshahr and defused, Fars news agency reported Sunday quoting a local official.

The operation was done as quickly as possible and without any casualties or damage," he said without giving any further details.

Khuzestan province, which borders Iraq, is home to a significant Arab community. In recent years Arab separatist groups carried out armed attacks in the region.