Nearly 100 people were killed Wednesday at an event honoring former Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in what local authorities and a senior White House official called a “terrorist” attack.
Thousands of Iranians had gathered at Soleimani’s grave in Kerman to mark the fourth anniversary of his death, carrying photographs of the former head of the Revolutionary Guard’s elite Quds Force, when authorities say two bombs exploded.
The first explosion occurred just 700 meters from Soleimani’s grave, while the second occurred one kilometer away, Iranian national media report.
Graphic video shared online The crowd was later shown fleeing as emergency crews responded, with bodies lying on the ground.
Footage suggested the second explosion occurred about 15 minutes after the first, a tactic often used by terrorist groups to attack emergency services and increase the death toll.
The two bombs were reportedly placed in suitcases and detonated remotely.
Explosions at an event honoring a prominent Iranian general killed in a US airstrike in 2020 killed at least 95 people and injured 211 others, Iran’s state media reported on Wednesday. AP
“The explosions were caused by terrorist attacks,” a local official said. “Several gas cylinders exploded on the road leading to the cemetery.”
A senior White House official said, “Just based on the modus operandi, it looks like a terrorist attack. [It’s] “kind of things we’ve seen ISIS do in the past.”
The death toll from the explosions rose rapidly on Wednesday morning, with the head of Kerman’s emergency services telling state media it stood at 103 as of 10 a.m. EST.
But later that day, that figure was revised to 95 when officials realized there were repeated names on the list of victims, Iranian Health Minister Bahram Einollahi told state television.
However, the death toll could rise again, as many of the at least 211 injured are in critical condition.
The explosions occurred at an event marking the fourth anniversary of the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani. IRAN PRESS/AFP via Getty Images Iran has multiple enemies that could be behind the attack, including exile groups, militant organizations and state actors. IRAN PRESS/AFP via Getty Images
Following the apparent attack, the head of Iran’s judiciary, Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, said the perpetrators will be found and punished.
“The agents and perpetrators of this serious crime will certainly be punished,” Mohseni-Ejei said in a statement, according to Al-Jazeera.
“The agencies responsible for intelligence, security and law enforcement are obliged to quickly search for all evidence and perpetrators and hand them over to the judiciary.”
Soleimani, the head of the Revolutionary Guard’s elite Quds Force. he was killed in a US drone strike in Iraq in January 2020. IRAQI MILITARY/AFP via Getty Images Footage suggested the second explosion occurred about 15 minutes after the first. MEHR NEWS/AFP via Getty Images
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
But Iran has multiple enemies that could be behind it, including exile groups, militant organizations and state actors.
The country has provided financial support to Hamas, as well as Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthi rebels, all of whom are currently fighting Israel.
The explosions occurred near his grave in Kerman, about 820 kilometers (510 miles) southeast of the capital, Tehran. Anadolu via Getty Images People could be heard screaming in state television footage. Via REUTERS
In the past, Israel has been accused of carrying out drone attacks against Iranian military facilities, and Sunni terrorist groups, such as ISIS, have carried out bombings against civilian targets in the Shiite-majority nation.
Who was Soleimani?
Qassem Soleimani was considered a national hero among supporters of the Iranian theocracy, but he was also considered a threat to American interests after he helped terrorists armed with roadside bombs who killed and maimed American troops.
Soleimani was the architect of Iran’s regional military activities and is hailed as a national icon among supporters of the Iranian theocracy. ISNA/AFP via Getty Images Soleimani’s death has sparked large processions in the past. IRAN PRESS/AFP via Getty Images
It helped secure Syrian President Bashar Assad’s victory after the 2011 Arab Spring protests against him turned into a civil war.
In 2020, the United States, under President Donald Trump, killed the general in a drone strike.
“If we learn of attacks, we will also take preventative measures to protect American forces and protect American lives. The game has changed,” Defense Secretary Mark Esper said after the attack.
He also said in a statement that Soleimani “was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.
“This attack was intended to deter future Iranian attack plans,” Esper added.
The explosions occurred at an event marking the fourth anniversary of the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani (left side of mural), head of the Revolutionary Guard’s elite Quds Force. AP
But Soleimani’s death has sparked widespread backlash and protests against the United States ever since.
At his funeral in 2020, a stampede occurred and at least 56 people were killed and more than 200 injured.
With post cables
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Source: vtt.edu.vn