Informed source says suicide bombing caused Kerman first blast
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Sources told IRNA that evidence, including CCTV footage, suggests that the initial explosion was probably caused by a suicide bombing carried out by an individual.
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The scene of twin explosions during a ceremony held to mark the martyrdom anniversary of Iranian Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, in Kerman, Iran, on January 3, 2024 (Fars News Agency)
According to an informed source, one of the two explosions in a terror attack in Iran's southern city of Kerman on Wednesday was the result of a suicide bombing.
The source told IRNA that evidence, including CCTV footage, suggests that the initial explosion was probably caused by a suicide bombing carried out by an individual.
According to the source, an inquiry is ongoing to identify the bomber whose corpse was shredded into bits, and another is underway to investigate the cause of the second bombing.
In the Iranian city of Kerman, more than 100 people were killed, according to reports, in a twin blast on Wednesday that rocked the city as Iranians flooded the streets marching toward the cemetery where Martyred Islamic Revolution Guard Corps, General Qassem Soleimani was laid to rest on the 4th anniversary of his martyrdom.
The initial explosion happened 1.5 kilometers distant from General Soleimani's grave. The second happened 2.7 kilometers apart from the first.
Two explosions took place on two different roads leading up to the cemetery, 10 minutes apart, according to the governor of Kerman.
The attack has garnered international condemnation from neighboring and global nations and has been widely characterized as a "terrorist attack" against the Iranian people.
Sayyed Khamenei: Severe response awaits perpetrators of Kerman attack
In response to the attack, the leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei offered condolences to families of martyrs and vowed that the terrorists responsible for the attack would receive a severe response.
Commenting on the terrorist attack, Iranian Interior Minister Ahmed Vahidi said that the response to this "cowardly act will be decisive." Minister Vahidi said that the second bombing occurred as citizens were gathering to rescue the victims of the first bombing.
Vahidi said that the killing of children and women was a response to the slap the terrorists had received from the Axis of Resistance.
In a statement on Wednesday, Sayyed Khamenei expressed that the "wicked enemies" of Iran could not tolerate the reverence and love for General Qassem Soleimani and visits to his place of rest on the anniversary of his martyrdom.
Sayyed Khamenei vowed that the perpetrators would face justice and the soldiers of Soleimani's path would not tolerate crime and villainy.
The Iranian leader expressed sympathy for those wounded in the attacks, with the head of Iran's Emergency Organization announcing some injured victims are in critical condition.
Raisi vows swift punishment after Kerman attack
The Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi strongly condemned the terror attack in Kerman and vowed that those responsible would be found and punished.
Raisi expressed condolences to Sayyed Khamenei, the people of Iran, and the families of those killed and wounded.
“Undoubtedly, the perpetrators and masterminds of this cowardly act will soon be identified and brought to justice by the capable security and law enforcement forces,” Raisi expressed.
“The enemies of the nation must know that such actions can never undermine the unwavering determination and will of the Iranian people to defend the Islamic ideals."
Raisi vowed that such assaults would only strengthen the Iranian nation's commitment to combat terrorism.
