On January 4, the terrorist organization “Islamic State” claimed responsibility via the Telegram messaging system for the double attack that killed more than 80 people and injured almost 300 in Iran the day before. At a memorial ceremony for General Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in an American attack, on March 4, 2020.
First change: May 1, 2024 – 11:13
2 minutes
With RFI Tehran correspondent Siavosh Ghazi and AFP
In its message published on Telegram, the Islamic State group assured that two of its members “activated their explosive belts” yesterday in Kerman, south of Iran, amid “a large gathering of apostates near the grave of their leader 'Qasem Soleimani '”. “.
“And kill them wherever you find them.”
The jihadist organization, which considers Iran's majority Shiite Muslims to be apostates, incorporated this operation into a campaign called “And kill them wherever they find them,” the statement said. Minutes before the claim, ISIS had released an audio recording in which its spokesman said the campaign was carried out “in support of Muslims wherever they are, including Palestine.”
The attack occurred near the Saheb al-Zaman Mosque, which houses the grave of General Soleimani, who was killed in a US drone strike in Iraq in January 2020. Soleimani was a key figure in the Islamic Republic and one of the country's most popular figures. Soleimani was declared a “living martyr” during the lifetime of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and celebrated for his role in defeating ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
The initial death toll of more than 100 was revised downwards by the head of the country's emergency services, Jafar Miadfar, who reported that 84 people had died and 284 were injured.
Very tense regional context
Because the attack came in a very tense regional context since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began in October, Iranian officials were quick to point the finger at Israel and the United States. Iranian President Ebrahim Raissi even said that the Jewish state would pay a heavy price for its crimes.
The U.S. State Department considers “absurd” any suggestion that Washington or Tel Aviv were involved in “what looks like a terrorist attack, something like what ISIS has done in the past,” according to a senior U.S. official spoke on condition of anonymity.
Israel, Iran's arch-enemy, did not comment on the attack. “We are focused on fighting with Hamas” in the Palestinian territory of the Gaza Strip, Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said.
demonstrations
It is planned that demonstrations will be organized across the country this Friday after communal prayers to condemn this double attack. Among the dead are 44 women and children as well as 12 Afghans who took part in the ceremony honoring the Iranian general.
The authorities have not yet responded to the IS group's claim of a double attack. However, some media outlets question this claim, claiming that the photo of the two suicide bombers shows their faces blurred, contrary to previous claims. Pro-government media continues to claim that Israel is responsible.