Twin Blasts Near Soleimani's Grave Claim 103 Lives in Kerman

At least 103 people were killed and 188 others injured in a devastating twin blast near the burial site of the late Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani in the city of Kerman. The explosions, labeled as a terror attack by officials, occurred on the fourth anniversary of Soleimani's death in a US airstrike.

The first explosion, located 2,300 feet (700 meters) from Soleimani's grave, was followed by a second blast 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) away, as pilgrims gathered at the site. State TV reported that at least one of the explosions was caused by a bomb.

The initial explosion near Soleimani's grave, according to IRINN, was triggered by a bomb concealed in a suitcase inside a Peugeot 405 car, detonated remotely. Iran's Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi disclosed that the first blast occurred at 3:00 p.m. local time, with the second, more deadly explosion happening 20 minutes later as additional pilgrims rushed to assist the injured.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Soleimani, the former head of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force, was assassinated in a US airstrike at Baghdad International Airport on the same date four years ago. He was considered one of Iran's most powerful figures, leading Iran's overseas operations and designated a foreign terrorist organization by the US.

The tragic incident has prompted Iran to declare Thursday as a day of mourning, with disturbing footage on state media showing chaotic scenes of crowds fleeing the area and ambulances rushing to transport the injured.

This attack comes at a tense moment in the region, amidst heightened tensions stemming from the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The war, which has claimed over 23,000 lives in Gaza, has also witnessed conflicts involving Iran-backed militias beyond Israel and Gaza.

Recent events, including the killing of a senior Hamas leader in Beirut and accusations of Israel's involvement in the assassination of an Iranian commander in Syria, have escalated tensions further. Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah is set to deliver a speech today, promising retaliation for the Beirut attack.

In a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Ebrahim Raisi, Russian President Putin condemned "terrorism in all its forms" following the blasts.

The United States has increased its military involvement in the Middle East recently, conducting airstrikes on Iranian-backed groups in Iraq and responding to attacks on its troops. The White House, however, stated that it is not seeking a wider conflict in the region.