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 identity of the first suicide attacker, described as a man, is currently under investigation. Earlier reports had indicated that the explosions resulted from bombing operations using explosive packages.

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.