Iran Holds Mass Funeral for Victims of Kerman Terror Attack
The attack, claimed by the Daesh terrorist group, targeted a memorial service for General Qassem Soleimani, who was assassinated by the US four years ago.
Thousands of mourners, including President Ebrahim Raeisi and other senior officials, attended the funeral, while protesters in other cities denounced the attack and its supporters, chanting slogans against the US and Israel.
Deputy Interior Minister Majid Mirahmadi told IRNA that intelligence forces had arrested several suspects who had aided the attack in five provinces.
He said that 10 of the victims were under nine years old and 30 were under 18. He also said that 76 of the victims were Iranian and 13 were Afghan.
Read More:
The attack drew condemnation from various countries and international organizations.
Mirahmadi said that two terrorists wearing explosive vests had blown themselves up among the crowd that was heading to a cemetery to pay tribute to Soleimani, who had led Iran's fight against Daesh in Iraq and Syria.
Attack rooted in Zionist grudge against Gen. Soleimani: Raeisi
Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says the cause of the terrorist bombings in Kerman can be traced back to the grudge that Zionists hold against top anti-terror commander General Qassem Soleimani as he jeopardized the plans to establish another Israel in the region by creating and backing Daesh terrorist group.
Addressing the funeral, he noted that the Israeli regime was established with the purported aim of defending Jews and by misusing the name of Jews, Raeisi said “The enemy wanted the puppet group of Daesh to rule in Iraq and Syria under the name of Islamic Caliphate.”
He attributed the security of West Asia to Gen. Soleimani, saying “Qassem Soleimani and the regional forces thwarted the US plan to create another Israel in the region ... this is why the Zionist regime is holding grudge against the name, path, and pilgrims of Haj Qassem," Press TV reported.
4192106
Photos by president.ir
