The death toll from two back-to-back bombings at the tomb of Iranian Revolutionary Guards general Qasem Soleimani, who was slain in a US drone attack in 2020, has jumped to 103, while the twin terror attacks left at nearly 200 people injured, as reported by Iranian state media.
During the ceremony in the southeast city of Kerman, Iranian state television claimed a first and then a second explosion, claiming multiple casualties.
Kerman’s deputy governor confirmed the nature of the explosions, stating that it was a “terrorist attack,” while state media reported more than 200 people wounded. Tasnim news agency, citing informed sources, reported that “two bags carrying bombs went off,” suggesting a coordinated attack.
First scenes from #Iran 🇮🇷 following mysterious explosions near Qassem #Soleimani's grave#Death TOLL INCREASES TO 103 KILLED 141 INJURED pic.twitter.com/rN6nf11E5f
— WarMonitoreu (@WarMonitoreu) January 3, 2024
State television images showed ambulances and rescue personnel responding to the scene.
Qassem Soleimani, the former head of the Quds Force, Iran’s foreign operations arm, was assassinated in a US drone strike near Baghdad airport in 2020. Declared a “living martyr” by Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Soleimani was revered for his role in defeating the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Iranians mourned his death, demonstrating a show of national unity during the days leading up to his funeral in Kerman.
