A suicide car bomb attack has killed eight Iranian pilgrims and wounded 25 others north of Baghdad, police say, according to Belfast Telegraph.

The bomber rammed his explosive-laden car into a bus carrying Iranian Shiite pilgrims who were on their way to visit holy shrines in the city of Najaf.

The attack took place today near the town of Muqdadiyah, about 90 kilometres (60 miles) north of Baghdad. A medical official confirmed the casualty figures.

Violence has spiked in Iraq in recent weeks. Shiite pilgrims are often targeted by Sunni extremists who claim they are not true Muslims.