BOMB MASSACRE
Iran bombing: ISIS claims responsibility for attack that left 103 dead as tensions rage across Middle East
Iran has vowed a 'harsh response' to a bomb attack
ISIS has claimed responsibility for the bomb attack in Iran which left 103 dead at the memorial parade for infamous Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.
The terror group identified two suicide bombers who carried out the blasts amid high Middle East tensions over the Israel-Hamas war.
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In a statement on Telegram, the group said two of its members "activated their explosives vests" at a gathering near the grave in the southern city of Kerman of slain Revolutionary Guards general Qasem Soleimani.
The terrorists responsible for the attack are named as Omar al-Muwahid and Sayfullah al-Mujahid.
ISIS, known for the unprecedented attacks on civilians, launched their latest strike during heightened tensions in the Middle East just a day after bombings in Lebanon.
The blasts, about 15 minutes apart, struck near the Martyrs Cemetery at the Saheb al-Zaman Mosque as supporters gathered to mark Soleimani's death in a 2020 US drone strike in Baghdad.
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The state TV reported 181 wounded with some in critical condition.
Among those killed were three paramedics who rushed to the scene after the first explosion, said Iran's Red Crescent.
Online footage showed panicked crowds scrambling to flee as security personnel cordoned off the area.
State television showed bloodied victims lying on the ground and ambulances and rescue personnel racing to help them.
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"We were walking towards the cemetery when a car suddenly stopped behind us and a waste bin containing a bomb exploded," an eyewitness was quoted saying by the ISNA news agency.
"We only heard the explosion and saw people falling."
President Ebrahim Raisi condemned the "heinous" crime as the Islamic Republic of Iran declared Thursday a national day of mourning.
Iran's Tasnim news agency, quoting informed sources, said "two bags carrying bombs went off" at the site.
"The perpetrators ... of this incident apparently detonated the bombs by remote control," Tasnim added.
Iran’s Head of Judiciary, Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, has released a statement saying, “The agents and perpetrators of this grievous crime will undoubtedly be punished”.
“Responsible intelligence, security and law enforcement agencies are obligated to promptly pursue all the evidence and perpetrators and hand them over to the judiciary”.
Following the devastating bombing, Iran vowed to "hunt down terrorists" and initially blamed Israel for killing of 103 people.
Iran's political deputy, Mohammad Jamshidi, blamed the parade bombings in Iran on both the US and Israel.
However, the US dismissed any suggestions that Washington and Israel were involved.
Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a statement on Wednesday, saying: ""Cruel criminals must know that they will be strongly dealt with from now on and undoubtedly there will be a harsh response."
In August, Iran blamed ISIS for the attack on a major shrine in southern Shiraz.
A lone gunman entered the Shah Cherag Shrine and opened fire on pilgrims and staff, killing one and injuring several others.
In 2022, the same shrine was also breached when a gunman entered with an assault rifle and killed 13 people before being shot to death.
Iranian officials called the attack a "terrorist operation" and blamed both incidents on ISIS.
Yesterday's bombing comes amid the rise of tension in the Middle-east following more attacks on Lebanon.
A day earlier, top Hamas chief Saleh al-Arouri and Hezbollah leader Hussein Yazbek were killed in separate drone strikes.
Iran and Israel have been battling against each other ever since Iran declared their loyalty to Hamas.
The pair have long been working together including Iran funding operations and providing intelligence to the terrorist group for decades, according to reports.
Iran were also very vocal of their anger over the brutal airstrike condemning the killing of Arouri by “the aggressive Zionist regime”.
Iran, which sponsors Hamas and Hezbollah, also made their stance clear saying the assassination would only make Hamas stronger.
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Nasser Kanaani, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, said the attack would only "ignite another surge in the veins of resistance and the motivation to fight".
There are now fears that the recent events could lead to a terrifying war across the Middle East.
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