President Barzani condemns deadly blasts in Iran’s Kerman

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Wednesday condemned "terrorist attacks" in Iran's Kerman near the cemetery where Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani is buried. Over 100 people were killed in the blasts.

“We condemn the terrorist attacks that targeted the city of Kerman in the Islamic Republic of Iran today, resulting in the killing and injuring dozens of Iranian citizens,” read a statement from President Barzani.

The explosions occurred nearly 15 minutes apart, according to Tasnim news agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The first blast occurred nearly 700 meters away from Soleimani’s tomb while the second happened about a kilometer away from the tomb, reported Iranian state media (IRNA).

Iran's National Emergency Services reported that at least 103 people were killed and 141 injured in the blasts. The death toll is expected to climb. Tens were injured in a stampede as people panicked after the blasts.

“We extend our condolences to the leadership, government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran. May God bless the souls of the victims and grant peace and comfort to their families. We wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” President Barzani added. 

Soleimani, head of the Quds Force, the foreign operations arm of the IRGC, was killed in a US airstrike near Baghdad International Airport on January 3, 2020, alongside Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy chief of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).

The Kerman blasts were also condemned by the Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.

“I condemn the cowardly attacks in the Iranian city of Kerman earlier today. My thoughts and condolences are with the people and government of the Islamic Republic of Iran in this difficult time and I wish the injured a speedy recovery,” the Kurdish prime minister said in a post on X. 

The Iraqi government said in its condemnation of the deadly explosions that Baghdad “stands with Iran, expressing support for both the Iranian Government and its people during this difficult time.”