Kerman, Iran – In a devastating turn of events, twin explosions rocked the southeastern city of Kerman, near the burial site of former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) General Qassem Soleimani. The explosions occurred during a ceremony commemorating the fourth anniversary of Soleimani’s assassination in a US drone strike. The incident has left dozens dead and over 200 injured, marking it as the deadliest attack in the history of the Islamic Republic.
The explosions took place in close proximity to the tomb of Soleimani, a key figure in Iran’s regional influence and the former commander of the Quds Force of the IRGC. Reports from Iranian media indicate that the blasts occurred near the burial site during a crowded ceremony, causing chaos and panic among attendees.
Iranian Health Minister Bahram Eynollahi confirmed the grim toll, stating that at least 95 people have lost their lives, with 211 others injured. Among the victims were three paramedics who rushed to the scene after the first explosion, according to Iran’s Red Crescent. The injured were treated for various injuries, including those incurred during the pandemonium that ensued following the blasts.
The cause of the explosions is yet to be determined, but authorities have described the incident as a “terrorist attack.” Videos from the scene depict ambulances rushing to the site and evacuating the injured on stretchers. Kerman, located about 820 kilometers southeast of Tehran, is now under heightened security.
Kerman security chief Rahman Jalali stated to state media that the blasts were the result of a “terrorist attack.” Tasnim News Agency reported that two briefcases loaded with explosives were placed at the entrance of the cemetery and were detonated remotely.
President Ebrahim Raisi condemned the attack as a “heinous” crime, declaring Thursday a national day of mourning. Raisi pledged that the perpetrators of this “cowardly act” would be identified and brought to justice.
Soleimani’s assassination in 2020 by a US drone strike had escalated tensions between Iran and the United States. The latest explosions come amid regional turmoil, with the recent killing of Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri in a drone attack in Beirut, an incident Lebanon attributed to Israel. Iran has condemned the killing, warning of potential consequences that could further ignite resistance against “Zionist occupiers.”
As the nation mourns the lives lost in Kerman, questions arise about the security measures in place and the broader implications of these attacks on regional stability. The investigations into the incident are ongoing, with authorities working to determine the motives and those responsible for the tragic events near Qassem Soleimani’s final resting place.
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