The explosions occurred in the city of Kerman, where many people were paying tribute to prominent General Ghassem Soleimani, killed by the US four years ago. It's probably a terrorist attack.
After two devastating explosions on the anniversary of the death of powerful Iranian general Ghassem Soleimani in his hometown of Kerman, Iran's health minister revised the death toll downward. 95 people were killed, Bahram Eynollahi said in an interview on Wednesday. He justified the correction by saying that some of the victims' names had already been counted twice. State media had previously put the death toll at 103.
The minister said that around 30 patients remain in critical condition. According to Eynollahi, a total of 211 people were injured. Iran's head of state, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, announced a strong reaction.
“Know that this catastrophic act will bring a harsh response, God willing,” the religious leader said on Wednesday, according to a statement published on state media. The 84-year-old expressed his condolences to the victims and their families. The president of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, said: “Without a doubt, the perpetrators and those who ordered this cowardly act will soon be identified and (…) punished for their heinous act,” the head of government was quoted as saying.
Iran's Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi also told state television on Wednesday: “It is clear that the security authorities, the military and law enforcement authorities will react quickly and vigorously.” Vahidi said most people died in the latter of the two explosions. The exact context will therefore be investigated. “Our law enforcement is vigilant and will hold those who committed this crime accountable.”
Ordered national mourning
According to the parastatal news agency Nournews, “several gas cylinders exploded on the way to the cemetery.” The deputy governor of Kerman spoke of a terrorist attack. According to Irna, authorities also confirmed this. There was great concern that the number of victims would continue to rise. The background to the explosions was initially unclear. Initially, no group claimed responsibility for the alleged attack. Terrorist attacks of this magnitude are extremely rare in Iran. The government has ordered national mourning for Thursday. Washington said Wednesday night that it had “no details about the bombing and no indication that Israel was involved in the explosion.”
The European Union “condemns in the strongest terms today’s bombing,” the European External Action Service said in a statement released on Wednesday. The EU “expresses its solidarity with the Iranian people. This act of terrorism has caused a shocking number of civilian deaths and injuries.” Perpetrators must be held accountable. Itamaraty made a similar statement via
Sidewalks covered in blood
Kerman, in central Iran, is the home of Ghassem Soleimani, former commander of the Quds Brigade, the foreign arm of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The US killed him in a drone strike in Iraq on January 3, 2020. This led to a dramatic escalation of tensions in the region and a retaliatory strike by Iranian forces against a US base in Iraq. Soleimani is revered as a martyr by government supporters loyal to the system. Propaganda images of the general are also plastered on the walls of houses in the capital Tehran.
Also on Wednesday, crowds made pilgrimages through the streets of Kerman to Soleimani's tomb. In a segment broadcast live on state television, bangs and screams were heard. During a reporter's live broadcast, rescue workers could be seen rushing to a hospital with injured people in the background. Images from the attack sites showed blood-soaked sidewalks, damaged vehicles and torn clothing. “Our emergency teams are evacuating the injured,” said the head of the Red Crescent in Kerman province, Reza Fallah, on television. However, crowds blocked the streets.
Hezbollah general wanted to give a speech
On the occasion of the anniversary of Soleimani's death, the secretary general of the Lebanese Shiite organization Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, wanted to give a speech on Wednesday night. The speech was eagerly awaited against the backdrop of the assassination of a leader of the Islamic group Hamas in Lebanon. There are concerns that the violent death of Saleh al-Arouri, deputy head of Hamas's political office, could lead to a further escalation of the conflict with Israel. According to Nasrallah, Soleimani wanted to use his support for “resistance movements” across the region to help them become independent and be able to operate without the help of Iran, Arab broadcaster “Al Jazeera” reported. Nasrallah then made threats against Israel.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Berlin, however, appealed to German citizens to leave Lebanon as quickly as possible. When questioned by APA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vienna said the travel warning still applies and that Austrians are being asked to leave Lebanon. (APA/dpa/Portal)