Tragedy struck Iran today as two separate explosions near the grave of the late Iranian military commander, Qasem Soleimani, claimed the lives of over 100 individuals and left 140 others injured. According to Iranian state media, the initial explosion was caused by a suitcase bomb. Disturbing video footage captured the moment when one of the explosions occurred, depicting the chaos and fear that engulfed the crowded streets.
Qasem Soleimani, a highly revered and powerful figure in Iran, commanded the military wing of Iran's semi-military forces. Throughout his tenure, he orchestrated numerous attacks, including those on U.S. service members in Iraq, whom he was blamed for targeting with armor-piercing IEDs. In response to his actions, President Donald Trump authorized a U.S. drone strike that resulted in Soleimani's demise on this same date three years ago.
Today, Iran was commemorating the anniversary of Soleimani's death, drawing large crowds to his grave due to his significant standing within the country. Iranian authorities have labeled the explosions as a terror attack. At this early stage, it is important to mention that speculations associating the incident with Israel's recent strike on a senior Hamas leader are unfounded. Experts and officials have deemed it highly unlikely for Israel to carry out such an operation within Iran.
While it is premature to assign responsibility, possibilities regarding terror groups capable of carrying out such an attack have been discussed. ISIS, a Sunni extremist group, has previously conducted assaults in the region and holds animosity towards the Iranian regime. Their capabilities have been heightened since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan over two years ago. Nevertheless, concrete evidence is currently lacking, and caution should be exercised when attributing blame.
Additional factors to consider include the presence of other active groups within Iran, such as the MEK, a long-standing organization that remains a focus of Iranian authorities. Additionally, internal Kurdish groups could also be potential perpetrators. Furthermore, it is crucial to approach the Iranian regime's claims and provided information with skepticism, as their history of transparency and honesty has been dubious.
The attack targeted the site of Soleimani's grave, which symbolizes an assault on the Iranian regime itself, given the close association between Soleimani and the government. As investigations continue into this horrifying incident, the world waits for further clarity on the responsible parties and their motives. Our thoughts go out to all those affected by this devastating act of violence.
