The attack was committed by the Islamic State terrorist group, according to its own statement, during the celebration of the fourth anniversary of the assassination of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani at the hands of the United States.
The terrorist group said in a statement released through its Telegram channels that two of its members “headed towards a large gathering” near Soleimani’s tomb in Kerman and “detonated their explosive belts”, resulting in the death of 84 people and the wounding of over 284, according to Iranian authorities.
Initial investigations into the January 3 attacks, which killed 84 people in Kerman, suggest they may have been “two suicide attacks”, Iranian news agency IRNA quotes.
“The suicide bomber in the first incident was a man who was completely dismembered following the explosion” and his identification is under investigation, the agency said, stressing that the second explosion “may also be” a similar action .
Soleimini, killed by the US command in 2020
IRNA recalled that the explosions, which occurred almost simultaneously, occurred 1.5 and 2.7 kilometers from Solaimani’s tomb on Wednesday afternoon, an action defined as “terrorist” by Iran and dozens of countries of the community international.
The attack also left 284 others injured, of which 220 were hospitalized. The terrorist attack occurred as thousands of people took part in ceremonies commemorating the death of Soleimani, who was killed in Baghdad in 2020 in a US strike during Donald Trump’s presidency.
Various Iranian authorities had indirectly blamed the attack on Israel and the United States, which, according to these officials, “harbored a grudge against Soleimani and chose to take revenge on the people, after many of their plans to destabilize the country were neutralized.”
jov (efe, ap)
History of the Islamic Revolution (02.2018)
In early 1979, the last Shah of Persia, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was overthrown. We invite you to remember that event in this image gallery.
Image: akairan.com
On February 1, 1979, Ayatollah Khomeini returned from his Parisian exile to Tehran and was welcomed with joy by the people. For years he criticized the Shah of Persia and his political elite due, according to the Ayatollah, to the repression of those who thought differently, the strong “Westernization” of Iran and his luxurious and decadent lifestyle.
Image: akairan.com
Waiting for the religious leader
Nearly four million Iranians celebrated Khomeini’s arrival in the streets of Tehran. The massive demonstrations against the Shah of Persia had already been going on for about a year. From August 1978, opposition general strikes paralyzed the country’s economy.
Image: Getty Images/Afp/Gabriel Duval
Already on January 16, 1979, Shah Reza Pahlavi left Iran. Shortly before, at the Guadeloupe conference, he had lost the support of Western governments, who were in favor of dialogue with Khomeini. American President Jimmy Carter offered the Shah to remain in the United States, which he accepted.
Image: fanous.com
The failure of the prime minister
The Shah had appointed Schapur Bachtiar, one of the leaders of the opposition National Front (FN), as interim prime minister to reassure his rivals, but to no avail. Bakhtiar was excluded from his party because he accepted the position. The other members of the FN had already agreed to work only with Khomeini.
Image: akairan.com
Speech at the cemetery
Khomeini said upon his arrival in Tehran that he did not recognize Bakhtiar’s government. From the airport he went to the central cemetery of the Iranian capital, where he gave a speech in front of hundreds of thousands of people. He stripped the monarchy and parliament of their legitimacy and announced that he would take the government of Iran into his own hands.
Image: atraknews.com
Riots all over the country
In Tehran and other cities of Iran, violent clashes occurred between revolutionaries and followers of the Shah of Persia. The unrest was severe and the army declared a curfew, but almost no Iranians paid attention.
Image: akairan.com
Prime Minister of the transition
On February 5, 1979, Khomeini appointed Mehdi Bazargan of the National Front as provisional prime minister. It seemed that the clergy would collaborate with the liberal opposition. However, conflicts soon arose between the two sides, and Bazargan resigned on November 5, 1979 in response to the hostage-taking at the American embassy in Tehran, tolerated by Khomeini.
Image: akairan.com
After Barzagan’s appointment, thousands of people took to the streets to support the transitional government. The army announced that it would not interfere in the power struggle, for which Schapur Bakhtiar lost all support. He had to flee from his house, chased by Khomeini’s armed followers. In April 1979 he went into exile in France.
Image: akairan.com
An elite unit of the Iranian Air Force greets Ayatollah Khomeini. The Iranian Air Force played a central role in the victory of the revolution because it gave citizens access to its weapons depots. On February 9, there was a final uprising by the Imperial Guard, who attacked an army base.
Image: Other
Overthrow of the monarchy
Armed fighting between the Imperial Guard and the Iranian population increased, and on February 11, 1979, chaos reigned throughout Iran. The revolutionaries occupied the Parliament, the Senate, state television and other state bodies. Shortly thereafter it was announced that the monarchy had been overthrown. In Iran, February 11 is celebrated as “Islamic Revolution Day”.
Image: akairan.com
2024-01-04 17:06:00
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