At least 100 killed in Iran explosions

MEHR NEWS/ AFP

Two explosions killed at least 103 people and wounded dozens at a ceremony in Iran to commemorate top commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed by a US drone in 2020.

Iranian state television reported a first and then a second blast during an anniversary event at the cemetery where Soleimani is buried in the southeastern city of Kerman.

An unnamed official told the state news agency IRNA that "Two explosive devices planted along the road leading to Kerman's Martyrs' Cemetery were detonated remotely by terrorists".

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Red Crescent rescuers tended to wounded people at the ceremony, where hundreds of Iranians had gathered to mark the anniversary of Soleimani's death.

The US assassination of Soleimani in a drone attack at Baghdad airport and Tehran's retaliation by attacking two Iraq military bases that house US troops brought the United States and Iran close to full-blown conflict in 2020.

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