At least 103 killed in blasts near Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani’s grave

[CharlieH]

 

On Wednesday, a tragic incident unfolded in the Iranian city of Kerman, resulting in the loss of at least 103 lives and leaving 141 individuals injured, as reported by state media. The calamity occurred near the burial site of the late military commander Qasem Soleimani and has been labeled a terror attack by officials.

The initial explosion occurred approximately 2,300 feet (700 meters) from Soleimani's grave, followed by a second blast 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) away. These blasts struck as pilgrims were visiting the revered site, intensifying the impact of the tragedy, as per IRNA.

Qasem Soleimani had met his demise four years ago on the same day, succumbing to a US airstrike ordered by former President Donald Trump at Baghdad International Airport. The repercussions of that event continue to reverberate, now compounded by this distressing attack.

As of now, no group has come forward to claim responsibility for the twin blasts, adding an element of uncertainty to the investigation into this grievous incident.

Videos circulated on Iranian state media captured the chaotic aftermath of the explosions, portraying large crowds desperately running in the area to escape the unfolding disaster. The scenes reflect the shock and chaos that ensued in the wake of this tragic event in Kerman.

 

Once a formidable figure in Iran, Qasem Soleimani held the position of head of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force, an elite unit responsible for overseeing Iran's overseas operations. Designated a foreign terrorist organization by the United States, the Quds Force, under Soleimani's leadership, was accused by the Pentagon of being accountable for the deaths of numerous American and coalition service members, along with the injury of thousands more.

Referred to as Iran's "shadow commander," Soleimani had commanded the Quds Force since 1998 and played a pivotal role in orchestrating Iranian military endeavors in Iraq and Syria. His death in the US airstrike ordered by former President Donald Trump in Baghdad added another layer of complexity to the volatile situation in the region.

 

The recent blast near Soleimani's grave occurred against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the area, with Israel engaged in a three-month conflict against Hamas in Gaza. This conflict, triggered by an October 7 attack by the militant group on Israel, has resulted in a substantial death toll, exceeding 23,000 individuals in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health.

Beyond the immediate conflict zone, skirmishes involving Iran-backed militias have unfolded, further contributing to the regional unrest.

 

A notable event preceding the blast was the killing of a senior Hamas leader in a Beirut suburb on Tuesday, reportedly through an explosion attributed to Israel by a US official. While Israel neither confirmed nor denied involvement, both Hamas and Hezbollah, the latter controlling the suburb, attributed the incident to Israel and vowed retaliation. The cumulative effect of these events underscores the precarious and tense state of affairs in the region.

 

Based on a story by CNN

 

[Tug]

Who are the mullas trying to blame?I wouldn’t put it past them to have done it themselves to whip up national outrage against the entity of their choice 

[Morch]

1 hour ago, Tug said:

Who are the mullas trying to blame?I wouldn’t put it past them to have done it themselves to whip up national outrage against the entity of their choice 

 

To what end?

Iran's policy/strategy so far seems to favor avoiding direct involvement, a whipped up national outrage would demand the opposite.