Twin blasts near Iranian leader's tomb suspected as terror

State media in Iran reported that the blasts occurred during events commemorating Qasem Soleimani, the Revolutionary Guards Commander killed by the United States.

The Iranian agency IRNA reported, "An explosion took place on the road where commemorations were being held for the fourth anniversary of Qasem Soleimani's death. Soleimani, the Quds Force Commander of the Revolutionary Guards Army, was killed in a US attack in Baghdad on January 3, 2020."

According to Tasnim News Agency, the explosions happened at the Sahip Zaman Mosque in the Kerman Martyrs' Cemetery, where General Soleimani's tomb lies.

SNN news agency reported a significant number of injuries due to the blasts. Ambulances rushed to the cemetery, crowded with hundreds of Iranians, ferrying the injured to nearby hospitals.

The semi-official Nournews agency mentioned, "Several gas cylinders exploded on the road to the cemetery, and authorities are monitoring the situation."

While some witnesses at the site believe gas cylinders caused the explosion, no official statement has supported this claim so far.

Iranian State Television announced the death toll from the explosions as 25.

Moreover, Iranian State Television conveyed that officials have labeled the explosion a terrorist attack.

As the evacuation from the explosion site continues, authorities have initiated an investigation to apprehend those responsible for the terrorist attack.

Trump Acknowledged Ordering Soleimani's Killing

Following an invitation from then-Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdulmehdi, Soleimani's convoy was targeted in Baghdad by a U.S. military drone missile on January 3, 2020.

The strike killed Soleimani, several Iranian officers, and five Iraqis, including Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Deputy Head of Hashd al-Shaabi, totaling ten fatalities. President Trump, asserting that Soleimani was behind thousands of U.S. soldiers' deaths, admitted he had ordered the assassination. This attack spurred calls for "revenge" in Iran.