Two explosions occurred near a cemetery in the Iranian city of Kerman during a ceremony commemorating the fourth anniversary of the death of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a US drone strike. At least 103 people were killed and dozens injured. In a message shared on his social media account after the attack, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, “I convey my condolences to the friendly and brotherly Iranian people.”
Successive explosions occurred near the grave of Qassem Soleimani, former commander of the Quds Force, the elite unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards.
Tehran Times announced that at least 103 people lost their lives due to the explosion. The number of injured was announced as at least 141.
Iranian media reported that the explosions were a terrorist attack.
TASNIM BAGS DETONATED REMOTELY
Iran’s Tasnim agency reported that the explosions were caused by 2 bags left in the area. The news report said that the bags were detonated by remote control. One of the witnesses who spoke to state television claimed that the bomb was placed in a garbage can.
Tasnim reported that the first explosion occurred 700 meters away from Soleimani’s grave. The second explosion occurred one kilometer away. According to the agency, this means that the bags with explosives were not in the busiest area and would not have had to pass any security checks.
According to eyewitnesses, the first explosion was felt much stronger than the second.
BBC: EXPLOSIONS WERE 10 MINUTES APART
According to BBC Persian service, Kerman Mayor Said Sherbaf said the explosions occurred 10 minutes apart.
State television footage shows a large number of ambulances and rescue personnel in the area.
‘Our emergency responders are evacuating the wounded but there is a crowd blocking the roads,’ Reza Fallah, head of the Kerman province Red Crescent, told state television.
Authorities asked citizens to evacuate the area.
KILLED IN US DRONE STRIKE
General Qassem Soleimani, Commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, was attacked by a drone at Baghdad Airport on January 3, 2020 and lost his life.
Major General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in the US attack, was not only a key soldier but also a man praised by Iran’s supreme leader as a ‘living martyr’.
For 40 years, Soleimani was closest to Khamenei. He was almost like his ‘spiritual son’.
STATEMENT BY IRANIAN PRESIDENT REISI
Iranian President Ibrahim Reisi made the first statement after the terrorist attack near the grave of Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in the city of Kirman on the 4th anniversary of his death. “Once again, anti-Iranian villains, terrorists and shadowy foci committed a murderous and inhuman act at the memorial ceremony of General Qassem Soleimani, the hero of the war against terrorism, and martyred and wounded a group of people, including women and children, who participated in this ceremony,” Reisi said.
‘WE WILL REVEAL THE PERPETRATORS’
Expressing his condolences to the Iranian people, Reisi said, “I condemn this heinous terrorist attack and share the pain of the bereaved families. Emphasizing that we will expose the perpetrators and planners of this inhuman crime, I urge the authorities in all regions to do everything necessary to treat the wounded and restore peace and order in Kirman city as soon as possible.”
“Undoubtedly, the perpetrators of this dastardly attack will soon be identified by our strong security services and will be punished for their dastardly acts. The enemies of our nation should know that such attacks will never harm the will of the Iranian nation in defending Islamic values, but will make them more determined than ever to root out terrorism.”
CONDOLENCE MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN
In the message he shared on his social media account after the attack, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, “We are deeply saddened by the heinous terrorist attacks in the Kirman province of Iran. I wish Allah’s mercy to those who lost their lives in the attacks and a speedy recovery to those who were injured. I convey my condolences to the friendly and brotherly Iranian people.”
VICE PRESIDENT YILMAZ ALSO ISSUED A CONDOLENCE MESSAGE
In a statement made on his social media account, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz said, “I wish Allah’s mercy to those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks in the Kirman province of Iran, I wish a speedy recovery to the wounded, and I convey my condolences to the friendly and brotherly Iranian people. As all humanity, we must build a common and decisive struggle ground together in order to establish peace and tranquility all over the world and to end terrorism.”
STATEMENT FROM THE FOREIGN MINISTRY
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs made a written statement following the attack in Kirman, Iran. “It has been learned with regret that there have been many casualties and injuries as a result of the terrorist attack in Kirman, Iran. We condemn this heinous terrorist attack in the strongest terms and extend our condolences to the friendly and brotherly Iranian people and government, and wish God’s mercy to those who lost their lives and a speedy recovery to the injured.”
PUTIN’S CONDOLENCE MESSAGE TO IRAN
Following the terrorist attack in the Iranian city of Kirman, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message of condolences to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Ibrahim Reisi. The message read, “Dear Mr. Khamenei, Dear Mr. Reisi, I ask you to accept my deep condolences on the tragic consequences of the terrorist attack in the city of Kirman. This massacre of civilians who were visiting the cemetery is deeply shocking with its brutality. I ask you to convey my condolences and support to the families and relatives of the victims and my wishes for a speedy recovery to all the injured. We strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and reaffirm our commitment to the relentless fight against this evil.”
