Two explosions near Soleimani’s grave in Iran have resulted in 103 fatalities and 141 injuries

On Wednesday, two explosions in Iran occurred minutes apart during a memorial event for General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2020. The attacks took place in Kerman, located about 820 kilometers southeast of Tehran, resulting in at least 103 deaths and 141 injuries. This incident has heightened tensions in the Middle East, already strained due to Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

No organization immediately took responsibility for the attack, which Iranian state media labeled as “terroristic.” While Israel has been involved in targeted operations in Iran, mainly related to its nuclear program, it typically does not engage in mass-casualty bombings. Groups like the Islamic State have previously carried out large-scale attacks in Shiite-majority Iran, but such incidents are rare in the relatively peaceful region of Kerman.

Iran has experienced mass protests in recent years, including demonstrations following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in 2022. The country has also faced attacks by exile groups since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The explosions targeted a commemoration of the fourth anniversary of General Soleimani’s death, the leader of the Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Force. The blasts occurred near his gravesite in Kerman.

Babak Yektaparast, a spokesperson for Iran’s emergency services, provided the casualty figures. The second explosion happened approximately 15 minutes after the first, a tactic often used by militants to cause additional casualties by targeting emergency responders.

The deputy governor of Kerman, Rahman Jalali, described the attack as “terroristic,” but did not specify the perpetrators. Iran has several potential adversaries, including exile groups, militant organizations, and state actors. Iran supports groups like Hamas, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

Soleimani, known for his role in Iran’s military operations in the region, is considered a national icon by supporters of Iran’s theocracy. He rose to prominence following the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, with American officials calling for his killing due to his support for militants using lethal roadside bombs against U.S. troops.

Despite avoiding politics, Soleimani became one of Iran’s most influential military figures. His death in 2020 by a U.S. drone strike, ordered by the Trump administration, was a significant escalation following America’s withdrawal from the nuclear deal with Iran in 2018.

Soleimani’s past funeral processions have drawn large crowds. In 2020, a stampede during his funeral in Kerman led to the deaths of 56 people and injured over 200. Kerman has generally been unaffected by the recent turmoil and attacks in Iran.