Hundreds of People Killed on Anniversary of the Death of Iranian General, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Promises a Firm Response

Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. (Wikimedia Commons/Khademei.ir)

JAKARTA - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei strongly condemned the explosion that occurred near the grave of Major General Qasem Soleimani in the city of Kerman, on the anniversary of his death on Wednesday, promising a firm response against those responsible.

"The evil and criminal enemies of the Iranian nation have once again created a tragedy and sacrificed a large number of our beloved people in Kerman in the fragrant atmosphere of the martyrs' graves in Kerman," he wrote on social media X, as quoted Thursday, January 4.

At least 103 people were killed and 188 others injured, as a result of two explosions near the grave of Major General Soleimani.

Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said the first explosion occurred at 15:00 local time, during an interview with Iranian state news channel IRIB. Meanwhile, the second, more deadly explosion occurred 20 minutes later, when other worshipers came to help the injured victims, Vahidi continued, as quoted by CNN.

The first explosion occurred 2,300 feet (700 meters) from Soleimani's tomb, and the second occurred 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) away as pilgrims visited the site, according to IRNA.

Meanwhile, another state television channel, IRINN, reported that the first explosion near Soleimani's grave was caused by a bomb placed in a suitcase in a Peugeot 405 car. It was thought to have been detonated remotely.

"The Iranian nation is in mourning and many families are mourning the death of their loved ones. The stone-hearted criminals cannot tolerate seeing the love and affection of the people visiting the grave of their great commander, Martyr Qasem Soleimani," Khamenei wrote.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the explosion. However, Tehran issued a stern warning.

"The enemy must know that the soldiers of Soleimani's bright path will not tolerate their crimes and vices. The blood-stained hands of innocent people and the corrupt and evil thoughts that led them astray will surely be subjected to harsh blows and fitting retribution," said Khamenei.

"The enemies must know that, with Allah's permission, the perpetrators of this tragedy will receive adequate retribution," he stressed.

Meanwhile, General Ismail Qaani, a senior Iranian military official and Soleimani's successor as leader of the Quds Force, said "the perpetrators are desperate," and warned "the Republic of Iran will not change its methods of eradicating the Zionist regime."