• Multiple blasts occurred near Qassem Soleimani’s tomb during an anniversary ceremony in Kerman, Iran.
  • Iranian officials stated the explosions were “terrorist attacks” that killed at least 103 people and injured more than 141.
  • No group has claimed responsibility, and the nature of the blasts remains under investigation.

Why is this important?

  • It raises security concerns in Iran and has the potential to escalate regional tension.
  • The incident occurred against the backdrop of heightened Middle East tensions, particularly between Iran and Israel.

Claims made by a single publication:

  • An eyewitness describing a car stopping before one of the explosions (Hurriyet Daily News).
  • An emergency medical staff member killed by the second blast (IranIntl).
  • Reports of four explosions and a claim of suicide belts used (IranIntl).
  • IranPoll’s survey indicating Soleimani’s high popularity rating in Iran (Hurriyet Daily News).
  • An official suggested the first blast might have been a gas canister explosion (New Arab).

Sources:

  • Axios [English]
  • Ynetnews [English]
  • Algemeiner [English]
  • Independent [English]
  • New Arab [English]
  • Financial Times (FT) [English]
  • Hurriyet Daily News [English]
  • IFP News [English]
  • CNN [English]
  • Al Jazeera [English]
  • Times of Israel [English]
  • Iran International [English]

Links:

https://www.axios.com/2024/01/03/iran-blast-qassem-soleimani-death-toll
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s1z5zaz00p
https://www.algemeiner.com/2024/01/03/more-than-100-killed-terrorist-attacks-near-iranian-guards-commander-soleimanis-tomb-during-ceremony/
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/iran-explosion-kerman-soleimani-blast-b2472651.html
https://www.newarab.com/news/iran-103-killed-blasts-near-grave-qassem-soleimani
https://www.ft.com/content/e53654ee-9b0f-467e-b8b6-ca94f6aa83a1
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/at-least-25-dead-in-two-blasts-near-grave-of-slain-iran-general-189317
https://ifpnews.com/blasts-kill-20-iranian-city-kerman/
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/01/03/middleeast/iran-explosions-soleimani-ceremony-intl/index.html
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/3/iran-blasts-live-deadly-explosions-target-soleimani-killing-anniversary
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/iran-says-103-killed-in-kerman-explosions-141-injured/
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202401039549