Eighty Four Killed In Blasts Near Soleimani's Tomb

Islamic State (ISIS or Daesh) claimed responsibility on Thursday for the explosions that killed dozens of people and wounded scores at the ceremony to commemorate IRGC commander Qassem Soleimani. The group posted a statement on its affiliate Telegram channels.

Iran’s state-run news agency IRNA has cited an informed source as saying that conclusive evidence, including CCTV footage, indicates the first explosion in Kerman was done by a suicide bomber. The second blast is also "likely" to have occurred through a suicide tactic.

The Iranian currency has fallen following the incident in Kerman. While for weeks the rial was hovering around 500,000 per US dollar, it dropped to about 514,000 on Thursday. Economic analyst Mohammad Reza Ranjbar Fallah attributed the rise to negative impacts of the bombing.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council convened a session Thursday, emphasizing expedited efforts to identify and bring the perpetrators and masterminds of the attack to justice. The Council called on intelligence agencies to swiftly pursue leads and identify the culprits.

The Iranian government unveiled a new mural in Valiasr Square, accompanied by a stern warning of a "severe response." The move echoes the repeated vows of "harsh revenge" by Islamic Republic officials after the killing of Qasem Soleimani.

The commander of Revolutionary Guards in Kerman, Mohammad-Ali Nazari, has refuted rumors of gunfire in the city, emphasizing that the province enjoys "complete security."

Iranian critics point fingers at security and intelligence agencies, accusing them of failing in their duties. The independent teachers' union in Iran, while condemning the carnage, said that security agencies are busy persecuting dissidents instead of ensuring public safety.

In a statement, the IRGC described the blasts as a cowardly act "aimed at creating insecurity and seeking revenge against the nation's deep love and devotion to the Islamic Republic". The attack "strengthens the resolve to decisively and justly punish the perpetrators.”

Lawmaker Hossein Jalali has questioned why Iranian authorities cannot implement adequate security measures in a small area like Kerman. Jalali compared the security situations in Iraq and Iran, highlighting the need for enhanced security precautions during significant events.

Gholamreza Soleimani, the commander of Revolutionary Guard’s paramilitary Basij force, claims that the Mossad and CIA were orchestrating the Kerman incident from behind the scenes.

Iran state media said on Thursday there were reports of shooting in the southeastern city of Kerman, a day after twin blasts killed nearly 90 people.

Kayhan daily, known as the voice of Khamenei, attributed the blasts to Israel, saying retaliation should not be “emotional" but sometimes requires "immediate action." The daily argued that "Without a swift response, these acts of terror will inevitably continue even in Tehran.”

Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi says the number of people killed in the explosions in Kerman is 84. Initial reports had put the number at 103. The Judiciary's news agency, Mizan, has released a list of 32 dead and 284 injured.

China's President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolence to the Iranian president on Thursday for the "terrorist attack" a day ago, Chinese state television CCTV said. China firmly supports Iran's efforts to safeguard national security and stability, he said.

In a statement, Saudi Foreign Ministry condemned the bombings in Iran, expressing sincere condolences, sympathy, and solidarity with the Iranian people, and wishing a swift recovery to those injured in this tragic event.

The Interior Minister disclosed that a considerable number of casualties were caused by the numerous shrapnels put in the explosive materials. Details of the explosions remain unclear with unconfirmed reports suggesting that a stampede may have contributed to most casualties.

Iran’s Health Minister Bahram Einollahi has updated the death toll from the Kerman explosion to 95, attributing the initial discrepancy to the inadvertent double registration of some names. The total injured stands at 211.Twenty-seven people are in critical condition.

The US Department of State has denied any involvement and rejects the idea of Israeli participation in the recent explosions in Iran.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "strongly condemned" the bombing of the ceremony in Iran to honor former Iranian top commander Qassem Soleimani.

Following the explosions in Kerman, President Ebrahim Raisi canceled his planned trip to Turkey, expressing a personal commitment to follow up on the situation.

The number of people injured in the explosions during the Soleimani memorial in Kerman climbs to 211, according to reports from the state broadcaster.

Vahid Jalalzadeh, the head of the Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said that no group has claimed responsibility for the explosions in Kerman. A taskforce from the committee is set to visit the site of the incident for further investigation.

Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Iran-backed Hezbollah of Lebanon, has extended condolences for the explosions.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei issued a message in response to the explosions in Kerman, promising a tough response against the perpetrators.

Iran-backed Houthi militias of Yemen have condemned the explosions at Soleimani’s memorial ceremony in Kerman, labeling them as a response to Tehran's support for “resistance,” a term for Iran's regional proxies.

The EU has condemned in the strongest terms today's bombing in the city of Kerman in Iran, expressing solidarity with the Iranian people.

According to videos released online, a group of people have returned to the burial site of Qasem Soleimani, chanting protest slogans against Israel and the United States.

Zeinab Soleimani, who attended the commemoration of her father's death anniversary in Tehran's Imam Khomeini Mosque, has decried the explosions in Kerman on behalf of the family, expressing hope for the perpetrators to be identified and brought to justice.

Russian President Vladimir Putin conveys condolences to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei following the deadly explosion during the commemoration of Qasem Soleimani’s death anniversary in Kerman.

The Iranian government has announced that Thursday would be a day of mourning. The state news agency said the cemetery had been evacuated and closed until further notice.

Reza Fallah, head of the Kerman Red Crescent Society, told state television the huge crowd was making it hard to get the wounded out. "A terrible sound was heard there, despite all the security and safety measures. We are still investigating," Fallah said.

Ashkan Mousavi, the Public Relations Manager of the Iranian Red Crescent, announced that due to the severity of the situation, there is a significant number of missing persons.

Mojtaba Zolnouri, the Deputy Speaker of the Iranian parliament, says, "Considering that the attack in Kerman Cemetery was not a suicide bombing, it seems to be the work of Israel.”

Ahmad Vahidi, the Minister of Interior in the Islamic Republic, addressed the public following the death of scores of people and the injury of over 250 in the blasts near the burial site of Qasem Soleimani.

It remains unclear if all the casualties were due to the explosions or a stampede that reportedly followed the incidents.

The mayor of Kerman and some government-controlled media claimed that the explosions were due to gas cylinder blasts, while others said it was a suicide attack, and yet other officials said bombs were placed on the road to the cemetery.

At least 84 people were killed and scores injured after two explosions occurred near the grave of former IRGC commander Qasem Soleimani on the fourth anniversary of his targeted assassination.