Twin Blasts
In a tragic turn of events, more than 100 people lost their lives and scores were wounded in two explosions during a ceremony in Iran commemorating the anniversary of the killing of top commander Qassem Soleimani. The blasts occurred at the cemetery in Kerman, where Soleimani is laid to rest. Iranian officials swiftly labeled the incidents as “terrorist attacks.”
State television reported the detonation of two explosive devices along the route leading to Kerman’s Martyrs’ Cemetery, set off remotely by unidentified terrorists, according to an unnamed official cited by the state news agency IRNA.
Initial reports from Babak Yektaparast, a spokesperson for Iran’s emergency services, indicated 73 fatalities and 170 injuries. However, state television later revised the death toll to at least 100 people.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, adding to the complexity of the situation. Disturbing videos broadcast by Iranian media depicted numerous casualties, with bystanders attempting to assist survivors and others rushing to exit the affected area.
Reza Fallah, head of the Kerman Red Crescent Society, expressed bewilderment at the incident, stating, “A terrible sound was heard there, despite all the security and safety measures. We are still investigating.”
The commemorative event drew hundreds of Iranians to mark the solemn anniversary of Soleimani’s death. Red Crescent rescuers faced significant challenges evacuating the wounded due to the large crowd and blocked pathways.
The 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Soleimani at Baghdad airport and Iran’s subsequent attacks on two Iraq military bases, housing U.S. troops, had brought the United States and Iran to the brink of a full-blown conflict. Soleimani, as the chief commander of the elite Quds force, played a crucial role in Iran’s efforts to drive U.S. forces out of the Middle East.
Current tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States have escalated following Israel’s military actions against Iranian-backed Hamas militants in Gaza. Additionally, Yemen’s Houthi militia, supported by Iran, targeted ships near the Red Sea, a critical global shipping route. U.S. forces have faced attacks in Iraq and Syria from Iran-backed militants, heightening regional tensions.
On a separate note, Monday witnessed an Israeli airstrike in Syria that claimed the life of a senior leader of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. The situation remains fluid, with authorities investigating the recent tragic events in Kerman.
