Terrorist attack at Iran: Deadly Blasts Claim Over 70 Lives and Injures 170 more

Iran, January 3, 2024: In a devastating turn of events, two explosions, believed to be orchestrated terrorist attacks, struck a ceremony in Iran commemorating the late military commander Qassem Soleimani. The revered commander was killed in a U.S. drone attack in 2020. The explosions occurred at a ceremony held at the cemetery in the southeastern city of Kerman, where Soleimani is interred.

Iranian state television reported a sequence of explosions, the first followed by a second, during the solemn anniversary event. Local officials in the Kerman province were quick to label the incidents as “terrorist attacks,” heightening concerns over the safety and security of public gatherings.

Babak Yektaparast, spokesperson for Iran’s emergency services, later confirmed a grim toll, stating that 73 people had lost their lives in the blasts, with an additional 170 individuals sustaining injuries. The semi-official Nournews had initially suggested that “several gas canisters exploded on the road leading to the cemetery,” but as the situation unfolded, it became evident that the explosions were a result of intentional acts.

State TV broadcasted scenes of Red Crescent rescuers frantically attending to the wounded at the ceremony, where hundreds of Iranians had assembled to mark the solemn anniversary of Soleimani’s death. Conflicting reports from various Iranian news agencies indicated that the number of injured could potentially be much higher.

Reza Fallah, head of the Kerman province Red Crescent, spoke about the challenges faced by emergency response teams, stating, “Our rapid response teams are evacuating the injured. But there are waves of crowds blocking roads,” underscoring the chaotic aftermath of the explosions.

The targeting of an event commemorating a national hero adds another layer of tragedy to an already somber occasion. The Iranian government has vowed to investigate the attacks thoroughly and has called for unity in the face of this senseless violence. As the nation grapples with the aftermath, the international community watches closely, awaiting further developments in this alarming and tragic incident.