In a tragic incident on the fourth anniversary of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani’s assassination by the U.S., at least 103 people lost their lives in two bomb explosions near his tomb in Kerman, as reported by Iran’s state media.
The explosions occurred during a procession near the Saheb al-Zaman mosque in Kerman, with dozens more reported wounded. State broadcaster Irib labeled it a “terrorist attack,” and videos from the scene depicted bodies on the road, with ambulances rushing to assist.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and no group has claimed responsibility at this time. However, groups like Arab separatists, ISIS, and other Sunni jihadist factions have previously targeted security forces and Shia shrines in Iran.
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Soleimani, once considered the most powerful figure in Iran after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq in 2020. Wednesday’s incident adds to the heightened regional tensions following the death of the deputy leader of Iran-backed Palestinian group Hamas in an apparent Israeli drone strike in Lebanon.
State TV footage showed the explosions occurring during a gathering on the outskirts of Kerman, Soleimani’s hometown. The first blast reportedly took place about 700 meters from the Garden of Martyrs cemetery, followed by a second explosion 15 minutes later, roughly 1 km away.
Tasnim news agency, linked to the Revolutionary Guards, suggested that “two bags carrying a bomb” were remotely detonated. Eyewitnesses described a sudden explosion, with people falling as they approached the cemetery.
The local emergency services department reported 103 dead and 141 wounded, some critically. Notably, the Iranian Red Crescent mentioned the death of at least one paramedic dispatched to the scene.
While Soleimani’s tomb appeared undamaged, the incident marks a tragic and unsettling event on a day that already carried significance in Iran’s recent history. Investigations are ongoing to determine the perpetrators and motives behind these deadly bombings.
