Over 70 Killed In Twin Blasts Near US-Slain General Soleimani's Grave On His Death Anniversary, Cause Unknown

Two explosions occurred in rapid succession near the gravesite of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani on the anniversary of his death, claiming the lives of more than 70 people and injuring numerous others.

The blasts took place as Iran commemorated the anniversary of Soleimani's killing in a US drone strike in Iraq as reported by Hindustan Times.

The explosions, which occurred near Saheb al-Zaman Mosque where the head of foreign operations of Iran's Revolutionary Guards is buried in Kerman, southern Iran, led to chaos as crowds impeded the evacuation efforts of the injured.

Iranian state TV reported the explosions at Qasem Soleimani's burial site but provided no details on the cause. A stampede ensued, causing additional injuries.

Reza Fallah, head of the Kerman province Red Crescent rescuers, stated that rapid response teams were evacuating the injured, but obstacles posed by the crowds complicated the process.

Iranian state media reported conflicting information, with Nournews suggesting gas canisters exploded on the road to the cemetery, while local officials cited uncertainty about whether the explosions resulted from gas cylinders or a terrorist attack.

The explosions occurred within a 15-minute timeframe in the central province of Kerman, prompting questions about the cause—whether it was a gas explosion or a potential terrorist attack.

Qasem Soleimani, who headed the Quds Force, the foreign operations arm of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, remains a revered figure in Iran following his death in a US drone strike just outside Baghdad airport.