• Around 103 dead in twin blasts at ceremony to honour top general Soleimani killed by US

    International
    Around 103 dead in twin blasts at ceremony to honour top general Soleimani killed by US
    The twin bombings occurred near the Saheb al-Zaman Mosque in Kerman...

    Digital Desk: At least 103 people lost their lives in Iran on Wednesday in a devastating terrorist attack during a gathering commemorating the fourth anniversary of General Qasem Soleimani.

    The twin bombings occurred near the Saheb al-Zaman Mosque in Kerman, the southern hometown where Soleimani was buried.

    The incident unfolded as supporters gathered to honor the slain general, who was targeted in a US drone strike just outside Baghdad airport in 2020.

    Iranian state media reported the blasts, calling them a "terrorist attack," while at least 170 individuals sustained injuries. Kerman's deputy governor labeled the explosions as a deliberate act of terrorism. According to Iran's Tasnim news agency, the bombs were carried in two bags and detonated remotely by the perpetrators.

    The tragic event unfolded amid heightened anticipations in the Middle East following the killing of Hamas number two, Saleh al-Aruri, in a Beirut drone strike attributed to Israel by Lebanese officials. The international community watches as the region faces increased volatility and unrest.

    Qasem Soleimani, the former head of the Quds Force, played a crucial role in shaping Iran's military and political agenda in the Middle East. Widely regarded as a hero in Iran for his efforts against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, Soleimani's popularity reached 83 percent among Iranians, according to a 2018 survey by IranPoll and the University of Maryland.

    His death in 2020 prompted massive public mourning and displayed a united front within the nation. Soleimani's strategic prowess, especially in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, positioned him as a significant power broker in the region. Despite being considered a deadly adversary by the US and its allies, Soleimani's influence on regional dynamics was undeniable.

    As the investigation into the Kerman bombings unfolds, the international community remains on edge, and the Iranian people mourn the loss of lives in a poignant reminder of the ongoing challenges faced in the region.