BAGHDAD: Iraqi officials say a suicide car bomb struck one of the gates to Baghdad's heavily guarded Green Zone, killing four people, including three security officers. 

The officials say Monday's explosion took place during the morning rush hour near the bridge over Tigris River connecting the Karradah district and the Green Zone, where most government offices, the parliament and several embassies and foreign missions in Iraq are located.

They officials say sporadic gunshots followed the blast.

A hospital official says 14 people were wounded in the explosion.

All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to talk to the media.