Iran blasts updates: Deadly explosions target Soleimani death anniversary
These were the updates on the explosions in the Iranian city of Kerman for Wednesday, January 3
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This live blog is now closed.
- Explosions have been reported at an event near the tomb of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps General Qassem Soleimani.
- At least 103 people have been reported killed at the event marking the fourth anniversary of Soleimani’s death.
- Videos show ambulances arriving at the scene and taking away the injured on stretchers.
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Here’s what happened today
We will soon be closing this live page. Here’s a recap of the day’s main developments:
- Twin explosions occurred outside an event near the tomb of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps General Qassem Soleimani in the Iranian city of Kerman.
- At least 103 people have been reported killed as a result.
- “Undoubtedly, the perpetrators … of this cowardly act will soon be identified and punished for their heinous act by the capable security and law enforcement forces,” Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said in a written statement.
UN chief Guterres condemns blast
United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has issued condolences for those killed in the attack and called for the perpetrators to be held accountable.
“The Secretary-General strongly condemns the attack today on a memorial ceremony in Kerman city in the Islamic Republic of Iran, which reportedly killed more than 100 people and injured many more,” a statement from his spokesperson reads.
“The Secretary-General calls for those responsible to be held accountable. The Secretary-General expresses his deep condolences to the bereaved families and the people and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He wishes the injured a speedy recovery.”
Quds Force leader says Iran attacked by ‘bloodthirsty people’
Esmail Qaani offered condolences and said Iran had been attacked with the support of Israel and the US.
“Today, we offer our condolences to the people of Kerman, who were attacked by bloodthirsty people who were sponsored by America and the Zionist regime,” he said.
“The one who leaves the Gaza battlefield more humiliatingly is the Zionist regime and the winner of this Palestinian resistance field.”
Lebanon, Jordan, Pakistan condemn Kerman blast
Lebanon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns of the “seriousness of this criminal act and the possibility of it destabilising regional security”, and the Jordanian Foreign Ministry offered a general condemnation of the blast.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said he was “deeply saddened to learn about the huge loss of lives in terrorist attacks in Kerman”.
Deeply saddened to learn about the huge loss of lives in terrorist attacks in Kerman. Pakistan condemns this heinous act and stands in solidarity with Iran. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Iranian Government and people at this difficult time @raisi_com 🇵🇰 🇮🇷
— Anwaar ul Haq Kakar (@anwaar_kakar) January 3, 2024
Erdogan condemns ‘heinous terrorist attack’
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has offered his condolences and condemned the violent attack in a social media post.
“We are deeply saddened by the heinous terrorist attacks carried out in Iran’s Kerman province. May God have mercy on those who lost their lives in the attacks, and I wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured,” Erdogan said in a post on X.
“I express my condolences to the friendly and brotherly Iranian people.”
EU condemns ‘act of terror’ after Iran blasts
The EU has condemned the Kerman bombing “in the strongest terms,” expressing its solidarity with the Iranian people.
“This act of terror has exacted a shocking toll of civilian deaths and injuries. Our thoughts now are with the victims and their families. Perpetrators must be held accountable,” the statement said.
Nasrallah offers condolences
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has offered condolences for those killed in the blasts.
Nasrallah did not comment on possible perpetrators but said those killed fell on the same road of struggle as Soleimani.
“The people who were visiting his [Soleimani’s] resting place and celebrating the occasion, including men, women and children, were targeted. As a result, a large number of martyrs fell,” he said.
“We offer all of their families our sincerest condolences. They are martyrs on the same road, they are martyrs of the same cause, of the same battle, that was being waged by commander Haj Qassem Soleimani.”
Iraq issues statement of solidarity with Iran after blasts
The Iraqi government has issued a statement condemning what it described as a “terrorist attack in Kerman“.
“In a show of solidarity, our government stands with Iran, expressing support for both the Iranian Government and its people during this difficult time.”
“Iraq expresses willingness to offer various forms of assistance, aiming to alleviate the impact of this cowardly criminal act.”
Perpetrators of ‘heinous act’ will be punished: Raisi
Iran’s President Raisi has issued a written statement following the deadly blasts in Kerman.
“Undoubtedly, the perpetrators … of this cowardly act will soon be identified and punished for their heinous act by the capable security and law enforcement forces,” Raisi stated.
“The enemies of the nation should know that such actions can never disrupt the solid determination of the Iranian nation.”
In case you’re just joining us
- Two bombs placed in suitcases appear to have been detonated remotely at the event marking the fourth anniversary of General Qassem Soleimani’s death, the Tasnim news agency reported.
- At least 103 people were killed in the Kerman blasts, according to Mohammad Saberi, the head of Kerman’s emergency services.
- Iran’s head of judiciary, Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, has released a statement, saying: “The agents and perpetrators of this grievous crime will undoubtedly be punished.”
- The political office of Yemen’s Houthi rebel group issued a statement condemning what they called the “criminal bombings” on the anniversary of Soleimani’s “martyrdom”.
- Iran’s government declared Thursday a day for public mourning across the country, according to Iran’s state television.
Who is behind the deadly blasts?
Hassan Ahmadian, a professor of Middle East studies at the University of Tehran, has said that the main question in Iran following the deadly blast is: “Who did it?”
“The president [Ebrahim Raisi] will, of course, talk about revenge against those who did it, but the question still remains – who did it?” Ahmadian told Al Jazeera.
“ISIS [ISIL] has shown that it is willing to do that [kill large numbers of civilians]. Israel might have wanted to escalate against Iran to force it to do something that would drag the United States [into a conflict] against Iran. These are all possibilities.”
Blasts ‘shocking in cruelty and cynicism’: Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences over the twin blasts that have rocked Kerman.
“The killing of peaceful people visiting the cemetery is shocking in its cruelty and cynicism,” Putin said in a letter to Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
‘Clouds of war’ over the Middle East
Al Jazeera senior political analyst Marwan Bishara says that there are “dark clouds of war” gathering over the Middle East after several days of escalating regional tensions.
“Anything could happen now in this region. There’s so much pent up violence, so much pent up tension, so many conflicts and so many moving parts. From the Red Sea, to the Iranian-Iraqi border, to Yemen, the Gulf; basically everywhere in the region now is a candidate to further escalation,” said Bishara.
Iran declares day of mourning on Thursday: State TV
Iranian state television has announced: “Following the terrorist incident in Kerman, the government declared tomorrow [Thursday] a day for public mourning across the country.”
Houthis condemn Kerman explosions
The political office of Yemen’s Houthi rebel group have issued a statement condemning what they called the “criminal bombings” on the anniversary of Soleimani’s “martyrdom”.
“This heinous crime represents an extension of all the crimes that attempted to undermine the Islamic Republic, its role in confronting global arrogance, its adoption of the nation’s central cause, and its support for the resistance forces in Palestine and Lebanon,” the statement reads.
Children among the casualties: Analyst
Mostafa Khoshcheshm, an Iranian political analyst, told Al Jazeera that several children have died as a result of the explosions.
More from Vahidi:
“Those who perpetrated these crimes should await a decisive and pummeling response by Iranian security and law enforcement forces.”
‘The enemy is launching psychological operations’: IRGC commander
Ahmad Vahidi, Iran’s interior minister and an IRGC commander, has said, “The enemy is launching psychological operations” and has asked Iranians not to believe speculation and rumours.
He told state television that important information regarding the explosions was available but would be made public officially only after it was reviewed and verified.
Who was General Qassem Soleimani?
Soleimani headed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC’s) Quds Force from 1998 to 2020 when he was killed alongside several others in a US air raid at Baghdad’s international airport.
He acquired celebrity status at home and abroad for his key role in spreading Iranian influence in the Middle East, which the US and Tehran’s regional foes, Saudi Arabia and Israel, have struggled to keep in check.
Soleimani strengthened Iran’s ties with Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as Syria’s al-Assad and Shia fighters in Iraq.
‘The perpetrators of this grievous crime will be punished’: Head of Judiciary
Iran’s head of Judiciary, Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, has released a statement saying, “The agents and perpetrators of this grievous crime will undoubtedly be punished.”
“Responsible intelligence, security and law enforcement agencies are obligated to promptly pursue all the evidence and perpetrators and hand them over to the Judiciary.”
Names of deceased to be released in coming hours: State television
A state television correspondent reporting from inside the Shahid Bahonar Hospital has asked people – on behalf of the authorities – not to enter the hospital to search for loved ones to avoid chaotic scenes.
She said the names of the deceased will be published online within the coming hours.
State-linked media have said Melika Hosseini, a member of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, is among those killed.
Death toll rises to 103: Emergency services
Mohammad Saberi, the head of Kerman’s emergency services, has confirmed to state media that more of the critically injured in the blasts have now died, bringing the total number of dead to 103.
“The current number of the injured is 141, some of whom are critically injured,” he said.
Bombs could have been detonated remotely: Report
Tasnim news agency is now reporting that the two bombs were placed in suitcases, which appear to have been detonated remotely.
This contradicts earlier reports, which suggested that it was suicide bombers who detonated the explosives.
There has been no official confirmation or statement regarding either of these reports.
Witness says explosive device was placed in trash can: Report
An unidentified woman, whose voice was aired by state television, said one of the bombs was put in a rubbish bin.
“I wasn’t injured, but I have blood over my clothes. I had just walked to the other side of the street when the bomb exploded,” she said.