Double Explosions in Iran Result in 103 Fatalities and 188 Injuries: Current Developments

President Raisi of Iran Issues Stern Warning to Attackers, as Responsibility for Assault Remains Unclaimed

State television says the blasts occurred in quick succession in the southern city of Kerman | Image : Reuters

On Wednesday, the city of Kerman in Iran faced a tragic incident near Qasem Soleimani's burial site, where two bombs detonated within minutes of each other. The devastating attack resulted in 103 casualties and left 188 individuals injured, as reported by CNN. This event is considered the deadliest militant assault on Iran since the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

The incident occurred during a gathering commemorating the fourth anniversary of the death of General Qassem Soleimani. He was the leader of the Revolutionary Guard's elite Quds Force and was killed in a US drone strike in Iraq in January 2020. The explosions took place near his gravesite, where a large crowd had gathered for the event.

As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, Iranian President Raisi has pointed fingers at Israel, attributing blame and issuing a warning of severe consequences. This situation continues to unfold, and these are the key details known at present.

As pilgrims visited the site, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported that the initial explosion occurred 700 meters away from Soleimani's grave, followed by a second explosion a kilometer (0.6 miles) away.

Perpetrators of Bomb Blasts in Iran Yet to be Identified?

No group has officially claimed responsibility for the recent bomb blasts in Iran. However, President Ebrahim Raisi has accused Israel of being behind the attacks, issuing a stern warning that they will face a "heavy price" for their alleged involvement. In a televised speech, President Raisi emphasized the severity of consequences and referred to the acts as crimes.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei echoed these sentiments on social media, expressing that Iran would deliver a "harsh response" to the attack. He emphasized the resilience of those following the path of Soleimani and their unwillingness to tolerate what he termed as wickedness and crimes.

This situation unfolds against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the region due to the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip. While The Wall Street Journal previously reported Iranian involvement in helping Hamas plan an attack on Israel, officials from the United States, Iran, Hamas, and Israel have denied these claims. Despite denials, Iran has openly expressed support for Hamas and commended its actions against Israel.