KERMAN, Iran – Two explosions rocked Kerman, Iran, during a commemoration for General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2020. The deadly blasts, which occurred minutes apart, resulted in at least 103 deaths and left 141 others wounded. As the Middle East continues to grapple with Israel’s conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the attacks have added to the region’s mounting tensions.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, labeled as “terroristic” by Iranian state media. While Iran has experienced mass protests and targeted attacks by exile groups in the past, such large-scale bombings in relatively peaceful areas like Kerman are rare.
The explosions struck an event marking the fourth anniversary of General Soleimani’s death near his gravesite. Iranian state television quoted a spokesman for the country’s emergency services for the casualty figures, emphasizing that some people were injured while fleeing the scene.
The timing of the explosions, with the second blast occurring about 15 minutes after the first, suggests a deliberate attempt to target emergency personnel and inflict more casualties. The deputy governor of Kerman described the attack as “terroristic,” reflecting the seriousness of the situation.
As the investigation continues, both the U.S. State Department and a senior administration official have denied any U.S. involvement in the attacks. Meanwhile, Israel, another key player in the region, has also distanced itself from the explosions.
Soleimani was a significant figure in Iran’s military and a national icon among supporters of the country’s theocracy. His death in a U.S. drone strike in 2020 created widespread mourning and has been a flashpoint in the ongoing tensions between Iran and the U.S. The recent attacks in Kerman mark a troubling escalation in the region’s unrest, underscoring the complex web of alliances and conflicts that continue to shape the Middle East.