Islamic State takes responsibility for twin blasts in Iran

The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for causing two big explosions that killed 84 people in Iran. The attacks happened during a gathering in Iran to remember the assassination of Qasem Soleimani by the United States. The extremist group stated on its Telegram channels that two of its members set off explosive vests.

The bombings took place in the city of Kerman, where people had gathered to commemorate Soleimani’s death. The blasts were the deadliest attacks in Iran in the 45-year history of the country. Iranian state media initially reported that suicide bombers were likely behind the attacks.

Surveillance footage from the route to the gathering at Kerman’s Martyrs Cemetery showed a male suicide bomber detonating explosives, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.

Qasem Soleimani, a high-ranking official in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was killed in a US drone strike in Iraq in 2020. Iran declared a day of mourning, and authorities called for mass protests during the funerals of the victims. Even before the Islamic State claimed responsibility, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi condemned the attacks, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei promised revenge.

An Iran expert suggested that the attack resembled the operations of the Islamic State in the country. He mentioned that blaming ISIS could give the Iranian government a reason to tighten control over its people. Soleimani was known as a strong opponent of the Islamic State group.