Over 100 dead in explosions at Soleimani’s tomb, says Iran’s state media
Explosions at Ceremony in Iran Kill Over 100 People
Updated at 10:35 a.m.
In a devastating “terrorist attack,” more than 100 individuals lost their lives and numerous others were injured during a ceremony in Iran. The event was held to honor the late commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed by a U.S. drone in 2020. The explosions occurred at the cemetery in Kerman, where Soleimani is buried.
According to Iranian officials, the first explosion was followed by a second blast during the anniversary gathering. An unnamed official revealed that “terrorists” remotely detonated two explosive devices planted along the road leading to Kerman’s Martyrs’ Cemetery.
Babak Yektaparast, a spokesperson for Iran’s emergency services, reported that 73 people had been killed and 170 injured. However, state television later confirmed that the death toll had risen to at least 100.
As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. Disturbing videos broadcasted by Iranian media depicted the aftermath of the explosions, with bodies scattered across the area. Some individuals rushed to help survivors, while others hurriedly left the scene.
“Despite all the security and safety measures, a terrible sound was heard there. We are still investigating,” stated Reza Fallah, head of the Kerman Red Crescent Society, in an interview with state television.
Rescuers from the Red Crescent provided aid to the wounded at the ceremony, which had attracted hundreds of Iranians commemorating Soleimani’s death. Several Iranian news agencies suggested that the number of injured individuals was much higher.
“We are currently evacuating the wounded and injured in the area. The crowd is huge, and the job is quite challenging as all the paths are blocked,” Fallah added.
The U.S. drone strike that killed Soleimani at Baghdad airport, followed by Iran’s retaliatory attacks on two U.S.-occupied military bases in Iraq, brought the United States and Iran to the brink of a full-blown conflict in 2020.
Soleimani, as the chief commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps’ elite Quds force, orchestrated covert operations in foreign nations and played a crucial role in Iran’s ongoing mission to expel U.S. forces from the Middle East.
Tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States have escalated due to Israel’s military campaign against Iranian-backed Hamas militants in Gaza. In response to Hamas’ rampage through southern Israel on October 7, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia has targeted ships with alleged links to Israel in the Red Sea, a major global shipping route.
Iran-backed militants in Iraq and Syria have also launched attacks on U.S. forces due to Washington’s support for Israel, prompting retaliatory airstrikes by the United States.
Furthermore, an Israeli airstrike in Syria recently resulted in the death of a senior leader of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
While Iran has previously accused Israel of carrying out attacks within its borders, Israel has neither confirmed nor denied these claims. However, there is currently no evidence of foreign involvement in the explosions that occurred during Wednesday’s ceremony.
President Joe Biden’s State Department declined to endorse former President Donald Trump’s decision to eliminate Soleimani. “We’re not going to rehash history,” stated a State Department spokesman to the Washington Free Beacon at the time.
(Writing by Parisa Hafezi; editing by Alison Williams and Philippa Fletcher)
What steps is the Iranian government taking to identify and bring the perpetrators of the attacks to justice?
Viduals could rise as more information becomes available. The injured individuals were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The explosions sent shockwaves through the country, as Iranians mourned the loss of their beloved commander. Qassem Soleimani was a highly respected figure in Iran, known for his role in the fight against ISIS and for his influence in shaping Iran’s foreign policy. His assassination by the United States in January 2020 had sparked widespread outrage and protests across Iran.
The Iranian government has condemned the attacks and vowed to bring those responsible to justice. President Hassan Rouhani expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and declared a national day of mourning. He also called on the international community to condemn this terrorist act.
The explosions have raised concerns about the security situation in Iran. This attack comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States have been escalating. The Iranian government has accused the United States of orchestrating the attack, although no evidence has been provided to support this claim. The Iranian authorities have launched an investigation to identify the perpetrators and determine their motives.
The international community has also condemned the attacks and expressed solidarity with the people of Iran. The United Nations Security Council issued a statement condemning the bombings, and several countries, including Russia, China, and Germany, have offered their condolences.
These attacks are a tragic reminder of the ongoing threat of terrorism and the need for international cooperation in combatting it. The loss of innocent lives is always a tragedy and should serve as a reminder of the importance of peace and stability in the region.
As the investigation into the attacks continues, it is crucial for the authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the Iranian people. The perpetrators must be held accountable for their actions, and steps should be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
In these difficult times, it is important for the international community to stand with the people of Iran and offer support and solidarity. The victims and their families deserve justice, and the Iranian people deserve peace and security. Only through unity and cooperation can we defeat terrorism and strive for a more peaceful world.
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