More than 100 people killed in Iran in explosions near Qassem Soleimani’s tomb

Middle East, News January 4, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

At least 103 people were reported dead in Iran on January 3, 2023, while hundreds sustained severe injuries in two explosions near the tomb of the late Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) General Qassem Soleimani.

The incident occurred during a ceremony commemorating four years since his assassination, attracting hundreds of attendees to the tomb.

Two separate explosions were heard in Iran’s southeastern city of Kerman on Wednesday afternoon. The explosions occurred near the burial place of General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike exactly four years ago on the same day.

According to the local official, it was not immediately clear what caused the blasts. Iran’s state-owned media outlet quoted a senior official who called the blasts a terrorist attack, without elaborating on who could be behind them. No one has immediately claimed responsibility for what appeared to be the deadliest attack to target Iran since its 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Both explosions took place in close vicinity to each other in the cemetery that was full of attendees. The blasts occurred on the roads leading to Golzar Shohada, the Garden of Martyrs cemetery in Kerman. The first explosion occurred some 700 meters away from Suleimani’s burial place and the second one occurred around 1 kilometer away.

Explosion near late Iranian General Qassem Soleimani tomb — ^{People gather at the scene of explosions during a ceremony held to mark the death of late Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, in Kerman, Iran, on January 3, 2024. (Image Credit: Majid Asgaripour/WANA)}

A spokesperson for the country’s emergency service initially reported more than 70 deaths while 170 were reported wounded. The death toll soon rose to cross 100. Based on the latest reports from the local news media outlets, the death toll stands at 103 and is expected to rise.

Tehran has not tossed any accusations to mark the culprit behind the attack, however, a political representative of Kerman province accused agents of Israel of committing the offense. Separately, Kianush Jahanpur, the former spokesperson of Iran’s health ministry, said on social media: “The answer to this crime should only be in Tel Aviv, Haifa.”

Iranian President Raisi called it a heinous crime

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi condemned the “heinous” crime as the Islamic Republic of Iran declared Thursday a National Day of Mourning. “Undoubtedly, the perpetrators, of this cowardly act will soon be identified and punished for their heinous act by the capable security and law enforcement forces,” said Raisi in a statement.

Raisi, President of #Iran:

"Revenge against the perpetrators of the terrorist incident in Kerman is inevitable."

The terrorist incident in Kerman has left more than 100 dead and nearly 200 injured. #ghasem_solimani #Terroristattack pic.twitter.com/BJiUbIIMVJ
— WANA News Agency (@WANAIran) January 3, 2024

Leaders from around the world offered their condolences to Iranian leadership. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the “heinous terrorist attacks” while neighboring Iraq also expressed condolences.

In Russia, President Vladimir Putin said: “The murder of civilians who visited the cemetery is shocking in its cruelty and cynicism.” The European Union issued a statement offering “its solidarity with the Iranian people.”

Who was Qassem Soleimani?

General Soleimani, the mastermind behind Tehran’s regional influence and the commander of Iran’s Quds Force, remained in relative obscurity until the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Soleimani, known for his quiet demeanor, radiated such charisma and intelligence that earned him a huge following in Iran and even respect from his adversaries.

Soleimani’s career began soon after Iran’s 1979 revolution. He stood out for his skills and brilliance as a Revolutionary Guard soldier during the Iran-Iraq War and was named head of the Quds Force in 1998.

Iranian Quds Force commander Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani attends Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's (not seen) meeting with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps in Tehran in 2016. Anadolu Agency/Getty Images — ^{Iranian Quds Force commander Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani attends Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s (not seen) meeting with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps in Tehran in 2016. (Image Credit: Anadolu Agency/via Twitter)}

He was targeted in a drone strike attributed to the United States shortly after arriving in Baghdad on January 3, 2020. Then-U.S. President Donald Trump ordered Soleimani’s killing, citing an alleged “imminent” threat of attack on U.S. military personnel in the Iraqi capital.