In a devastating incident on Wednesday, at least 103 people lost their lives in Iran as two consecutive bombs struck a crowd commemorating the fourth anniversary of General Qasem Soleimani’s killing. The explosions, labeled a “terrorist attack” by state television, occurred near the Saheb al-Zaman Mosque in Kerman, Soleimani’s hometown. The victims had gathered to mark the tragic event, which unfolded with tensions already heightened in the Middle East.
Rahman Jalali, Kerman’s deputy governor, officially declared the explosions as a “terrorist attack.” The bombings targeted Soleimani’s supporters who had assembled to pay homage at his burial site.
The official IRNA news agency reported that the number of casualties rose to 103, with 141 people wounded, some in critical condition. Three paramedics were among the victims, dispatched to the scene following the first explosion.
According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, “two bags carrying bombs went off” at the site. The perpetrators seemingly triggered the bombs by remote control, as per informed sources. Kerman’s mayor, Saeed Tabrizi, stated that the explosions occurred 10 minutes apart.
An eyewitness reported the sudden explosion of a bomb in a trash can, with people falling and chaos ensuing. Security personnel swiftly cordoned off the area as crowds scrambled to flee.
Qasem Soleimani, former head of the Quds Force, was commemorated as a national hero in Iran. His strategic role in countering the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria elevated him to the status of a “living martyr.” Soleimani’s death in a 2020 US drone strike triggered widespread mourning and demonstrations.
Leaders and officials worldwide expressed condolences and condemned the attacks. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin decried the “shocking cruelty and cynicism” of the terrorist act.
The inhuman terrorist attacks have prompted strong condemnation within Iran and have reignited discussions about regional security and the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
By AFP/Reuters
