What is known about the terrorist attack in Iran?
World
Iranian Health Minister Bahram Eynollahi confirmed the information about the death of 95 people as a result of explosions near the cemetery in the city of Kerman. Iranian media also cited 211 injured, 27 of them in serious condition. The authorities characterised what happened as a terrorist attack.
What happened
The two explosions took place on the anniversary of the death of the commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Al-Quds Special Forces (elite units of the Armed Forces), General Qasem Suleimani, during a ceremony marking the occasion at the Golzar-e Shohada cemetery in Kerman province. According to Tasnim News Agency, the first explosion occurred 700 metres from Suleimani's grave, while the second explosion occurred about 1km away from the memorial. 95 people were killed. Iran's Emergency Management Agency reported that at least six children were among the victims. There were 211 casualties, according to preliminary reports. Three policemen were also killed.
How the authorities are reacting
The vice-governor of Iran's Kerman Province described the explosions as a terrorist act, Nour News reported.
The Iranian government declared 4 January a day of national mourning for those killed in the explosions.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi promised to punish those responsible.
The Iranian branch of the International Red Crescent Society reported that the condition of most of the injured is serious.
International reaction
Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a telegram of condolences to Iran's spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Raisi. The Russian leader stressed that Moscow strongly condemns terrorism and is committed to an uncompromising fight against it.
The State Department said the U.S. and Israel were not involved in the bombings.
Germany condemned what happened.
Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah said Suleimani's name still terrifies those who killed him.
President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has sent condolences to Raisi.
Khamenei expressed condolences to the families of the victims, promising a tough response to the actions of the attackers.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the bombings.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell expressed condolences to Iran.
Israel assured allies of its non-involvement in the bombings.
Suleimani's death
Suleimani was killed on 3 January 2020 in a US Air Force missile attack near Baghdad airport. This prompted an Iranian retaliatory strike on two sites with US troops on the night of 8 January and provoked an escalation in the Middle East.
The two explosions took place on the anniversary of the death of the commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Al-Quds Special Forces (elite units of the Armed Forces), General Qasem Suleimani, during a ceremony marking the occasion at the Golzar-e Shohada cemetery in Kerman province. According to Tasnim News Agency, the first explosion occurred 700 metres from Suleimani's grave, while the second explosion occurred about 1km away from the memorial. 95 people were killed. Iran's Emergency Management Agency reported that at least six children were among the victims. There were 211 casualties, according to preliminary reports. Three policemen were also killed.
How the authorities are reacting
The vice-governor of Iran's Kerman Province described the explosions as a terrorist act, Nour News reported.
The Iranian government declared 4 January a day of national mourning for those killed in the explosions.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi promised to punish those responsible.
The Iranian branch of the International Red Crescent Society reported that the condition of most of the injured is serious.
International reaction
Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a telegram of condolences to Iran's spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Raisi. The Russian leader stressed that Moscow strongly condemns terrorism and is committed to an uncompromising fight against it.
The State Department said the U.S. and Israel were not involved in the bombings.
Germany condemned what happened.
Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah said Suleimani's name still terrifies those who killed him.
President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has sent condolences to Raisi.
Khamenei expressed condolences to the families of the victims, promising a tough response to the actions of the attackers.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the bombings.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell expressed condolences to Iran.
Israel assured allies of its non-involvement in the bombings.
Suleimani's death
Suleimani was killed on 3 January 2020 in a US Air Force missile attack near Baghdad airport. This prompted an Iranian retaliatory strike on two sites with US troops on the night of 8 January and provoked an escalation in the Middle East.
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