Iran: Deadly Explosions Strike Soleimani Ceremony

Facts

• Two bombs exploded in Iran during a ceremony commemorating the fourth year since former Iranian General Qassem Soleimani was killed by a US drone strike in Iraq. According to Iranian officials, at least 95 people were killed and more than 200 injured by Wednesday's explosions (with numbers being revised by Iranian officials).¹
• Iran said the explosions, which occurred near Soleimani's grave site in the southeastern city of Kerman — roughly 820 kilometers (510 miles) away from the capital Tehran — were a 'terrorist attack,' but didn't provide any potential causes. The two bombs went off one after the other, with three paramedics reportedly being killed as they rushed in to help after the first blast.²
• Iranian officials reportedly said the bombs were placed in bags on the side of the road and went off via remote control during the procession of people headed toward Soleimani's tomb. Video footage showed thousands of people walking in the procession as prayers from the Quran played.³
• The first explosion reportedly went off roughly 700 meters (2.3K feet) from the grave site with the second one detonating 1km (0.62 miles) away. This reportedly infers that the bags did not travel through a screening checkpoint.²
• Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi didn't blame anyone specific for the bombings, only noting that 'the perpetrators and criminals who were involved in this terrorist crime will soon be identified and punished.' While some other Iranian officials accused the US and Israel, US Dept. of State spokesman Matthew Miller denied the claims on behalf of both countries.⁴
• This came a day after a senior Hamas leader, Saleh al-Arouri, was killed in an attack in Beirut, Lebanon on Tuesday. Lebanese officials blamed Israel for the attack, accusations Israel has declined to comment on.⁴

Sources: ¹ABC News, ²Al Jazeera, ³New York Times and ⁴Wall Street Journal.

Narratives

• Anti-Iran narrative, as provided by Archive. This is likely another example of Iranian nationals using terrorism to fight against the brutal regime. Following decades of oppression, Iran has unfortunately experienced a growing number of militant groups using violence as a means to put pressure on the authoritarian state. The world should not look at the West or Israel but rather the numerous armed and exiled groups whom Tehran has persecuted in the past. Violence in Iran sadly has been a self-fulfilling prophecy due to a repressive regime.
• Pro-Iran narrative, as provided by Irna. As the enemies of Iran continue to instigate violence against the country and its people, Tehran knows who they are and where to find them. This evil act will be investigated thoroughly and its perpetrators swiftly brought to justice. Terrorism as a means of political action has never won over the hearts of Iranians, and this time will be no different — this means investigating and bringing to justice actors both domestic and foreign.

Predictions