A resident runs from the site of a bomb attack as fire engulfs vehicles in central Baghdad, December 15, 2009. Three car bombs killed four people and wounded 15 on Tuesday in central Baghdad, close to heavy morning traffic around the Green Zone government district, police said. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BAGHDAD, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Four people have been killed and 14 others injured after three explosions in central Baghdad early Tuesday morning, an Iraq's Interior Ministry source said.

    The serial explosions occurred at around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday local time near the Iranian Embassy, the Foreign Ministry and the Haideer Restaurant, all close to the heavy-guarded Green Zone in Baghdad, the source told Xinhua.

    Xinhua correspondents in the Mansour Hotel, also near the Green Zone, saw black smoke in the area.

Special Report: Tension escalates in Iraq

Smoke rises over the city after a serious explosion in Baghdad, capital of Iraq, Dec. 15, 2009. Four people have been killed and 14 others injured after three explosions in central Baghad early Tuesday morning, an Iraq's Interior Ministry source said. (Xinhua/Gao Shan) Photo Gallery>>>