Twin bomb blasts shake Iran, kill 103
Twin bomb blasts has rocked the southern Iranian city of Kerman.
The incident on Wednesday killed at least 103 people and leaving 211 others wounded, some in critical condition.
The explosions occurred near the Martyrs Cemetery at the Saheb al-Zaman Mosque during a gathering commemorating the fourth anniversary of the death of Revolutionary Guards general Qasem Soleimani.
The first explosion took place approximately 700 meters from Soleimani’s grave, with the second occurring about one kilometer away, just 15 minutes later.
The unclaimed attacks have been labeled as a “terrorist attack” by both state media and regional authorities.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, blamed “evil and criminal enemies” for the attack and pledged a “harsh response.”
President Ebrahim Raisi condemned the act as a “heinous” crime, leading the Islamic Republic of Iran to declare Thursday a national day of mourning.
Footage circulated online captured the chaotic scenes, with panicked crowds scrambling to flee as security personnel cordoned off the area. Eyewitness accounts described a sudden explosion near the cemetery, causing immediate panic and casualties.
The bombings sent shockwaves through global markets, with oil prices surging more than three percent. Concerns about a widening conflict in the already tense Middle East heightened as the attacks unfolded amid the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and the recent killing of a Hamas senior leader in Lebanon.
The European Union, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iraq, and Jordan condemned the attacks. The EU released a statement condemning the bombings as a “shocking toll of civilian deaths and injuries.”
Putin expressed his condolences, emphasizing the “shocking cruelty” of targeting peaceful individuals visiting the cemetery.
Iran, no stranger to regional tensions, has faced previous alleged plots and incidents. In September, a key operative affiliated with the Islamic State group was reportedly arrested in Kerman.
Additionally, in July, Iran’s intelligence ministry claimed to have disbanded a network linked to Israel’s spy organization, accusing it of planning “terrorist operations,” including an explosion at Soleimani’s grave.
The late Qasem Soleimani, the former head of the Quds Force, was widely regarded as a hero in Iran for his role in defeating ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Despite being a significant adversary to the United States and its allies, Soleimani played a crucial role in shaping Iran’s political and military agenda across the region.
As Iran mourns the lives lost in these devastating attacks, the global community watches closely, hoping for stability and a swift resolution to the rising tensions in the Middle East.
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