A day after two deadly explosions killed more than 100 people in the city of Kerman, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on January 4 pledged to take a tough response and punish those behind them.
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| A corner of the scene of the terrorist attack in Iran on January 3. (source: AP) |
At least 103 people have been killed and 211 injured in two explosions at a memorial site for Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in the city of Kerman, during a ceremony marking the fourth anniversary of his assassination in Iraq.
Supreme Leader Khamenei declared: "Both the blood-stained hands of innocent people and the evil minds that led them to this miscalculation will certainly become the targets of a worthy punishment."
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi affirmed that security forces and law enforcement agencies will find and deal with the masterminds and perpetrators of the terrorist attack.
“ The enemy should know that such actions can never break the firm resolve of the Iranian nation,” President Raisi said in a statement .
Mr Raisi has cancelled a visit to Türkiye scheduled for January 4.
Meanwhile, Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said Tehran would soon give a "strong and decisive response" to those behind the bloody terrorist attack.
According to the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network (IRINN), two explosions occurred on January 3 in a tunnel near the cemetery, about 20 minutes apart.
Speaking to reporters, Minister Vahidi said most of the casualties were caused by the second explosion.
| “The enemy should know that such actions can never break the firm resolve of the Iranian nation." - Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. |
Many of the injured are in critical condition, and the death toll could rise, said Babak Yektaparast, a spokesman for Iran's National Emergency Medical Organization. The Iranian government has declared a day of mourning for the victims on January 4.
On the same day, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the terrorist attack.
The European Union's (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell also sent condolences to Tehran, "condemning this terrorist attack in the strongest terms and expressing solidarity with the Iranian people."
Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent his condolences to the Iranian leadership and families of the victims. The leader stressed that Moscow strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms and pledges to fight uncompromisingly against extremism.
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