ISIS Takes Credit for Iran Bombings That Resulted in 84 Fatalities

The Islamic State group (IS) has claimed responsibility for a bomb attack in Iran during a gathering commemorating the anniversary of spymaster Qasem Soleimani's assassination by the US. The attack took place in Kerman, southern Iran, resulting in the deaths of 84 people and numerous injuries. The death toll was later revised down to 95 by Iran's emergency services. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has pledged a "harsh response" to the attack. IS announced its responsibility for the attack through its channels on Telegram and released an image of two masked men who were allegedly the attackers. The group has previously targeted civilians and security forces in Iran and celebrated the death of Gen Soleimani. While President Ebrahim Raisi's political deputy, Mohammad Jamshidi, initially blamed Israel and the US, the US denied any involvement. The attack comes amid heightened tensions in the region following the killing of the deputy leader of Hamas by an Israeli drone strike. Iranian state TV footage showed panic and chaos among the crowds after the explosions. The attacks occurred just outside security checkpoints, and authorities are investigating whether they were triggered remotely or by suicide attackers. The bombings were condemned by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and Iran's President Raisi referred to them as a "cowardly act." Qasem Soleimani, the target of the original US drone strike, was a significant figure in Iran as the commander of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force, responsible for shaping Iranian policy across the region and supporting allied governments and armed groups.