Iran: Two ‘terrorist’ explosions kill over 100, injure scores near Kerman Martyrs Cemetery

This evening, January 3, 2023, two explosions occurred 10 minutes apart in the vicinity of Kerman’s Gulzar-e Shuhada, Iranian local media reported.

Officials of the cemetery initially stated that the ‘blast’ sound emanated from the explosion of several gas canisters, and that nothing special had happened to anyone.

Later on, the political deputy of Kerman governorate announced: The explosion occurred on the path of people who were heading towards Qassem Soleimani’s tomb, but it is not yet clear whether this explosion was caused by a gas explosion or was a terrorist attack.

But a few minutes later, Tasnim news agency announced citing some sources that there were two bomb bags at the entrance to Kerman’s Gulzar-e Shuhada, and that the perpetrator(s) of this incident apparently detonated the bombs by remote control.

Following this news, Kerman governor’s security deputy confirmed that these two explosions were terrorist attacks.

Kerman emergency chief says that the number of martyrs of Wednesday’s explosions in this city has reached 103 people, with another 211 injured, some of whom are reported to be in critical condition.

Apparently, a terrorist operation was carried out using an explosive belt and two explosions have occurred so far, said Jalali, Rafsanjan’s parliament representative, commenting on today’s incident.