Iran vows to pursue terrorists responsible for the heinous attack

In a devastating incident, at least 103 individuals lost their lives in a double bomb blast during a memorial parade honoring the infamous Iranian general, Qasem Soleimani. The solemn event turned into chaos as two explosions, labeled as a “terrorist attack” by state media and regional authorities, ripped through the ceremony near the Martyrs Cemetery at the Saheb al-Zaman Mosque in Kerman, Soleimani’s hometown.

Dozens more were reported injured, with some in critical condition, as the blasts occurred approximately 15 minutes apart. The incident unfolded amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, coinciding with the Israel-Hamas conflict and the recent killing of a Hamas senior leader in Lebanon.

The official IRNA news agency confirmed the rising death toll, stating, “The number of people killed rose to 103 following the deaths of people injured during the terrorist explosions.” State TV reported 181 wounded, and among the casualties were three paramedics who rushed to the scene after the initial explosion, as reported by Iran’s Red Crescent.

Iran has vowed to “hunt down terrorists” responsible for the attack, which President Ebrahim Raisi condemned as a “heinous” crime. The Islamic Republic declared Thursday a national day of mourning to honor the victims.

Soleimani, once declared a “living martyr” by Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, headed the Quds Force, overseeing military operations across the Middle East. Despite being a divisive figure globally, he was regarded as a hero by many Iranians for his role in combating the Islamic State jihadist group in Iraq and Syria.

The tragic incident in Kerman adds another layer of complexity to the region’s volatile situation, coming just a day after the killing of Hamas number two, Saleh al-Arouri, in a Beirut drone strike. Al-Arouri, an ally of Iran, was a key figure in Hamas.

As the death toll continues to rise, fears of escalating tensions and the possibility of a broader conflict in the Middle East loom large. Authorities are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the double bombing, emphasizing the urgency of identifying and bringing the perpetrators to justice.