Explosions claim the lives of more than 100 during ceremony for Iranian commander, say officials

At least 103 people have been killed and 170 injured in two bomb blasts near the Saheb al-Zaman Mosque in Kerman, Iran, where supporters had gathered to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the death of Qasem Soleimani, the former head of Iran’s Quds Force.

The explosions were a “terrorist attack”, according to state television. The deputy governor of Kerman has confirmed that the incident was a “terrorist attack”. The explosions were caused by “two bags carrying bombs” that were detonated by remote control, according to Iran’s Tasnim news agency.

Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike in 2020 outside Baghdad Airport. He was widely regarded as a hero in Iran for his role in defeating the Islamic State jihadist group in Iraq and Syria. He was also instrumental in warding off the multi-ethnic disintegration of neighbouring countries such as Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq.

Soleimani was an influential figure in Iran and across the Middle East, setting Iran’s political and military agenda in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. He was declared a “living martyr” by Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while still alive.

He had a popularity rating in Iran of 83%, according to a survey published in 2018 by IranPoll and the University of Maryland.

The explosions occurred a day after Hamas number two Saleh al-Aruri, an Iran ally, was killed in a Beirut drone strike, which Lebanese officials blamed on Israel. The bombings have raised tensions in the Middle East.

Online footage shows crowds scrambling to flee as security personnel cordon off the area. Images on state television show several ambulances and rescue personnel in the area. The explosions were ten minutes apart, according to Kerman mayor Saeed Tabrizi.

The bombings have caused widespread outrage and condemnation. The Iranian government has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.