Over 100 Die in Explosions Near Tomb of Iranian General Soleimani

At least 95 people have tragically lost their lives, and over 200 individuals are grappling with injuries resulting from two devastating explosions that rocked a memorial event marking the fourth anniversary of the death of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Kerman, a south-central city in Iran on Wednesday. Media reports indicate that these explosions occurred in proximity to the grave site of the esteemed former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Authorities at the scene are characterizing the incident as a terrorist attack, with initial assessments pointing toward the detonation of two bags containing explosives in a densely populated area, remotely triggered to cause maximum harm. Although an initial death toll of 103 was reported, it was subsequently revised lower after the discovery of duplicate names on the list of victims, according to Iran’s health minister Bahram Einollahi.

Social media is abuzz with video footage depicting the aftermath of the tragedy, showcasing injured individuals receiving medical attention and being transported on stretchers. Reza Fallah, head of Kerman’s Red Crescent humanitarian group, informed Iranian television that rapid response teams faced challenges in evacuating the injured due to road blockages caused by waves of crowds.

Qassem Soleimani, a highly revered figure in Iran, met his demise in a US drone strike authorized by former President Donald Trump on January 3, 2020, in Baghdad, Iraq. Trump justified the military operation by citing intelligence suggesting an “imminent” attack planned by Soleimani against US forces in the Iraqi capital.

The incident in Kerman unfolded a day after the killing of senior Hamas figure Saleh al-Arouri in a drone strike in Lebanon. Iran condemned this attack, expressing concerns that it could inflame resistance sentiments and intensify the motivation to fight against what they term “Zionist occupiers.”

The explosions, occurring with a time gap of approximately ten to fifteen minutes, had the first blast situated around 700 meters from Soleimani’s tomb at the Golzar Shohada cemetery in Kerman. The second explosion, roughly a kilometer away, adds to the complexity of the situation.

The Golzar Shohada cemetery, also known as the Garden of Martyrs, holds significance as the final resting place for more than 1,000 individuals considered martyrs. It has become a pilgrimage site for supporters of the “axis of resistance” against the US and the West. Notably, footage suggests that Soleimani’s tomb remains undamaged.

As investigations unfold, the identities and motivations of those behind the explosions remain unknown. Kianush Jahanpur, former spokesman for Iran’s health ministry, hinted on social media that repercussions for this crime should be directed toward Tel Aviv and Haifa. In recent days, Iran claimed to have executed four individuals allegedly linked to Israel’s Mossad intelligence services.