A senior Iranian lawmaker dismissed on Monday Israel's claim about Iran's involvement in the terrorist attack against the Egyptian military in Sinai, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

Israel's envoy to the United States, Michael Oren, on Monday blamed Iran for Sunday night's attack on a checkpoint in Egypt's North Sinai which left at least 16 soldiers dead and seven others injured.

Egypt closed Rafah crossing with Gaza Strip after its security checkpoint was attacked.

Abbas Ali Mansouri, a member of Iran's Majlis (parliament) National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, was quoted by Fars as saying "Only the Zionists (Israelis) become happy with the closure of Rafah (crossing), therefore accusing Iran of interference in the terrorist event is ridiculous."

Israel is angry with the opening of the Rafah crossing after the upheaval in Egypt last year, he said, adding that they have since embarked on attacks against Egyptian forces while accusing Iran of the crime.