Kerman, Iran – At least 103 people were killed and 188 were injured in the Iranian city of Kerman on Wednesday after twin blasts near the burial site of Qasem Soleimani, a slain military commander. Officials have referred to the incident as a terror attack.
The explosions, one of which was caused by a bomb, occurred on the fourth anniversary of Soleimani’s death in a US air strike. This has heightened tensions in the region, particularly since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. State TV reported that the first explosion was 2,300 feet from Soleimani’s grave, while the second was 0.6 miles away as pilgrims visited the site.
No group has claimed responsibility for the blasts, but Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi blamed Israel and stated that it would “pay a heavy price” for the explosions. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Iran will have a “harsh response” to those behind the explosions.
The United States, however, does not have any independent information about the explosions and has no reason to believe that Israel was involved, according to US State Department spokesperson Matt Miller. Russian President Putin also condemned “terrorism in all its forms” in a letter to Iranian leaders after the blasts, and both the European Union and the United Nations chief Antonio Guterres have called for the perpetrators to be held responsible.
Iran declared Thursday a day of mourning following the blasts, and Raisi canceled his upcoming trip to Turkey. Kerman, Iran, solemnly mourns the tragic loss of lives from this devastating attack, as tensions in the region continue to escalate.