At least 103 people killed in Iran following two explosions

Two explosions have killed at least 103 people in Iran after a large crowd gathered to commemorate the late Revolutionary Guards general Qasem Soleimani, who was killed by a US drone strike in 2020. The blasts occurred in Soleimani’s southern hometown, near the Martyrs Cemetery at the Saheb al-Zaman Mosque in Kerman. Iran’s state television has reported that up to 211 people are injured, and many are in critical condition. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has slammed the explosion being committed by “evil and criminal enemies” of the country and has vowed a “harsh response”. The IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency) reported that the first explosion took place about 700 meters from Soleimani’s grave at around 3 pm, with the second located around one kilometre away roughly 20 minutes later. Iranian Interior Minister, Ahmad Vahidi, has said that the second blast killed and wounded the greatest number of civilians caught up in the blasts. Around nightfall, crowds began gathering back at the cemetery where they began chanting “Death to Israel” and “Death to America”. The European Union and Russian President Vladimir Putin have both denounced the explosions, with the EU releasing a statement following the attack. “The EU condemns in the strongest terms today’s bombing … This act of terror has exacted a shocking toll of civilian deaths and injuries,” they stated.