Islamic State Claims Responsibility for Deadly Blasts at Qassem Soleimani Memorial in Iran
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for two devastating explosions that occurred during a memorial ceremony for top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in Kerman, southeastern Iran. The blasts resulted in nearly 100 casualties and left 284 people wounded, including children.
The militant Sunni Muslim group, in a statement posted on its affiliate Telegram channels, asserted that two of its members detonated explosive belts amidst the crowd gathered at the cemetery to mark the fourth anniversary of Soleimani's death. Soleimani was assassinated in Iraq in 2020 by a U.S. drone, a move that escalated tensions between the United States and Iran.
The attack, described by Iranian authorities as the bloodiest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, prompted Tehran to vow strong retaliation. "A very strong retaliation will be meted out to them by the hands of the soldiers of Soleimani," declared Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi condemned the incident as a "heinous and inhumane crime," while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei vowed revenge for the bombings. Mass protests have been called for Friday, coinciding with the funerals of the victims.
Internationally, the United Nations Security Council issued a statement condemning what it called a "cowardly terrorist attack" and extended condolences to the victims' families and the Iranian government.
Details about the attackers and their motives remain unclear, but experts speculate that the Islamic State branch based in neighboring Afghanistan, known as ISIS-Khorasan, could be responsible. Aaron Zelin of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy suggested that Tehran has previously accused ISIS-K of involvement in foiled plots over the past five years.
ISIS has long harbored animosity toward Shiites, Iran's dominant sect, considering them apostates. The group has frequently targeted Iran, as demonstrated by a deadly attack on a Shi'ite shrine in 2022 and twin bombings in 2017 that struck Iran's parliament and the tomb of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
The international community, including the United States, denied any involvement in the attacks. White House spokesman John Kirby acknowledged IS's claim, stating that the U.S. was in no position to doubt their responsibility.
As Iran grapples with the aftermath of this tragic incident, questions about regional security and potential repercussions for U.S.-Iran relations come to the forefront. The shadow of Qassem Soleimani's assassination continues to cast a long and tumultuous shadow over the region, with the latest attacks marking a dangerous escalation in an already volatile situation.
