Iran has pointed fingers at Israel and the United States for the dual bomb explosions that claimed the lives of at least 95 individuals in the southern part of the country. The blasts occurred during a gathering commemorating the fourth anniversary of the death of Revolutionary Guards general Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US drone strike in 2020.
Termed a “terrorist attack” by state media and regional authorities, the unattributed explosions intensified concerns about escalating tensions in the region. The incident took place amid heightened Middle East turmoil, including the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza and the recent killing of a senior Hamas leader in Lebanon.
Global markets were unsettled by the attacks, with a more than three percent surge in oil prices and widespread international condemnation. While the United States and Israel denied involvement, Iranian officials, including President Ebrahim Raisi, held the US and Israel accountable.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, denounced the attack as the work of “evil and criminal enemies” and vowed a “harsh response.” President Raisi condemned the “heinous” crime and declared a national day of mourning.
The twin explosions occurred approximately 15 minutes apart near the Martyrs Cemetery at the Saheb al-Zaman Mosque in Kerman, Soleimani’s hometown. Initial reports of casualties varied, with the health minister later confirming 95 deaths and 211 injuries. The attacks targeted supporters gathered to mark Soleimani’s death.
The Iranian government, along with various international entities, expressed condemnation for the bombings. The UN, European Union, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Germany, Iraq, and others voiced solidarity with Iran and condemned the act of terror.
The incidents marked Iran’s deadliest since the 1978 Cinema Rex arson attack, with officials linking them to ongoing shadow conflicts with Israel and the country’s battles against militant groups. The explosions came a day after the killing of Hamas leader Saleh al-Aruri in Lebanon, an incident that Lebanese officials attributed to Israel.