KERMAN, Iran – Two explosions near the burial site of Qasem Soleimani, a slain Iranian military commander, resulted in the death of at least 103 people and left 188 others injured in the city of Kerman on Wednesday. Iranian officials described the incident as a terror attack and stated that the twin blasts threatened to escalate tensions in the region, coinciding with the fourth anniversary of Soleimani’s death in a US air strike.
State TV in Iran reported that the explosions, at least one of which was caused by a bomb, occurred on the anniversary of Soleimani’s death and posed a potential risk of increased tensions in the region. The first explosion took place approximately 700 meters from Soleimani’s grave, while the second blast occurred about 1 kilometer away, as pilgrims were visiting the site.
Soleimani, who was head of the Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force and considered a foreign terrorist organization by the US, was killed in a US airstrike ordered by former President Donald Trump at Baghdad International Airport four years ago. The explosions in Kerman have not been claimed by any group.
The blasts occurred amidst heightened tensions in the region, marked by the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of thousands and has led to skirmishes beyond Israel and Gaza, often involving Iran-backed militias. The incident also takes place as Iran and its armed proxies accused Israel of assassinating a senior Iranian commander in Syria, prompting vows of retaliation.
Videos posted on Iranian state media showed chaotic scenes as large crowds ran from the area following the explosions. Iran has declared a day of mourning following the tragedy.
In a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Ebrahim Raisi, Russian President Putin condemned “terrorism in all its forms” after the blasts. The United States has also increased military involvement in the Middle East, carrying out airstrikes on Iranian-backed groups in Iraq and taking action against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
The explosions near Soleimani’s burial site in Kerman, Iran have resulted in a significant loss of life and have the potential to further escalate tensions in the region amidst ongoing military conflicts and power struggles.