According to BBC, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for twin blasts near military slain commander Qasem Soleimani’s burial site in southern Iran via its Telegram channels. The US intelligence agency has confirmed the involvement of ISIS’s Afghanistan branch behind these bombings.

Soleimani was the most powerful figure in Iran after the supreme leader until his assassination by a US drone strike in 2020. January 3 marked his fourth death anniversary. The bombings targeted a memorial service in his memory, recognising his action against ISIS in Iran.

At least 84 have been killed and 284 injured in these bombings on January 3, 2024. According to Islamic Republic News  Agency(IRNA), Iran’s official state news agency, this is the deadliest attack in Iran since the Iranian Revolution of 1979. Both the bomb blasts took place in close succession to each other, with the second one being deadlier, killing all those who rushed to help the people initially injured. As a result, Thursday, January 4, was declared a day of national mourning nationwide.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenai, the Supreme Leader of Iran, has vowed a “harsh response” to this fateful attack. “Cruel criminals must know that they will be strongly dealt with from now on,” said Khamenai in his statement the same evening.