Iranian state TV reported two blasts during an anniversary event at Qassem Soleimani’s burial site in Kerman.
The solemn anniversary event in Kerman, Iran, commemorating the death of Qassem Soleimani turned tragic as two explosions, described as “terrorist attacks,” rocked the cemetery where the revered commander is buried. The Iranian state television reported on Wednesday that over 100 people were killed, and scores more were wounded in the blasts, which occurred during a ceremony attended by hundreds of Iranians.
An unnamed official revealed to the state news agency IRNA that the explosions resulted from two explosive devices planted along the road leading to Kerman’s Martyrs’ Cemetery. These devices were allegedly detonated remotely by terrorists, creating chaos and devastation at the site. The incident marked a grim turn during the anniversary event meant to honor the memory of Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a US drone strike in 2020.
Babak Yektaparast, a spokesperson for Iran’s emergency services, initially reported 73 fatalities and 170 injuries. However, state television later revised the death toll to at least 100. The exact numbers remained unclear, with some Iranian news agencies suggesting a higher count of wounded individuals. Despite the conflicting figures, the severity of the situation was evident in videos broadcast by Iranian media, depicting bodies strewn across the area while bystanders rushed to aid survivors or evacuate the blast zone.
The bombings raised concerns about security measures, prompting investigations into the circumstances surrounding the attacks. Reza Fallah, the head of the Kerman Red Crescent Society, spoke of the unexpected nature of the incident, saying, “A terrible sound was heard there, despite all the security and safety measures. We are still investigating.”
Red Crescent rescuers worked tirelessly to attend to the wounded amid the chaos. The ceremony, attended by hundreds marking the anniversary of Soleimani’s death, became a scene of tragedy and confusion. Fallah noted the challenges faced in evacuating the injured due to the large crowd and blocked paths.
The backdrop to these explosions is rooted in the escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, particularly in the aftermath of Qassem Soleimani’s assassination. In 2020, the US drone attack that killed Soleimani at Baghdad airport and Iran’s subsequent retaliation by striking two Iraq military bases housing US troops had brought the two nations dangerously close to a full-blown conflict.
As the chief commander of the elite Quds force, the overseas arm of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Soleimani played a pivotal role in clandestine operations in foreign countries. He was a key figure in Iran’s long-standing campaign to expel US forces from the Middle East. The repercussions of these events continued to reverberate in the region.
Recent tensions between Iran and Israel, coupled with the United States, reached a new high due to Israel’s military actions against Iranian-backed Hamas militants in Gaza. The retaliatory attacks and geopolitical maneuvers have strained relations further. Notably, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia targeted ships they claimed were linked to Israel in the Red Sea, a vital international shipping lane.
US forces faced attacks by Iran-backed militants in Iraq and Syria, a reflection of Washington’s support for Israel. In response, the US carried out its own retaliatory airstrikes. The situation remained volatile, with an Israeli airstrike on Monday targeting and killing a senior leader of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in Syria.
Iran had, in the past, accused Israel of orchestrating attacks within its borders, targeting individuals or specific locations. However, in the case of the explosions during the ceremony in Kerman, there was no immediate indication of foreign involvement.
The unsettling events in Kerman underscored the persistent instability in the region, with multiple actors engaged in complex geopolitical maneuvers. The bombings not only raised questions about the internal security apparatus but also highlighted the broader challenges faced by nations grappling with long-standing conflicts and power struggles. As investigations unfolded, the international community closely monitored the situation, mindful of the potential implications for regional stability and global security.
