TEHRAN: Iran’s security forces have arrested 11 suspects for their alleged links to the twin bombings in Kerman and seized explosives on a day when President Ebrahim Raisi joined mourners for the funerals of the 89 people.

Suicide bombings struck crowds in the southern city, where many had gathered on Wednesday to commemorate slain Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps general Qasem Soleimani, on the fourth anniversary of his death in a US drone strike.

The attack was later claimed by the Islamic State group. However, Iranian officials continued to suggest Israeli and US involvement despite the denial by US State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller about any such role of the two countries.

The victims include multiple women and children and at least a dozen Afghan nationals, state TV said.

IS “has disappeared nowadays”, said Revolutionary Guards chief Hossein Salami during the funeral ceremony, arguing the jihadists “only act as mercenaries” for US and Israeli interests. He vowed that Iran “will find you wherever you are”, referring to those behind the bombing plot.

President attends funeral of 89 victims; officials accuse US, Israel of backing attack

Iran’s Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi told state TV that “some individuals involved in the attack have been arrested,” without elaborating.

President Raisi said revenge for the killings will come at “the time and place will be determined by our forces”.

Hails Hamas

The president in his remarks also hailed Palestinian group Hamas for resisting the Israeli offensive against the Gaza Strip. “We know that Operation Al-Aqsa Flood will bring about the end of the Zionist (Israeli) regime,” he said, using Hamas’ name for the fight, now nearing its fourth month.

President Raisi also visited Soleimani’s grave, state TV said.

A staunch enemy of the jihadist group, Soleimani headed the Quds Force, the Revolutionary Guards’ foreign operations arm, overseeing military operations across the Middle East. He was killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad.

Iranian authorities called for mass rallies after the funerals and Friday prayers to protest the bombings.

Friday’s funerals took place at the Emam Ali mosque in Kerman, where crowds gathered in front of dozens of coffins wrapped in the Iranian flag, according to state media.

The mourners waved the national flag as well as the yellow flag of Tehran’s ally in Lebanon, Hezbollah, along with portraits of Soleimani.

Iranian investigators had already confirmed that the first blast at least was the work of a “suicide bomber” and believed the trigger for the second was “very probably another suicide bomber”, official news agency IRNA had reported earlier, citing an “informed source”.

“Our country’s capable intelligence agencies have found very good clues regarding elements involved in the terrorist explosions in Kerman and a section of those who had a role in this incident have been arrested,” he said without elaborating.

Deputy Interior Minister Majid Mirahmadi said: “Various individuals have been arrested in five cities in five provinces, who have supported this incident or been linked to it. Details will be announced in the next few hours”, the state news agency reported.

In a statement carried on state television later, the Intelligence Ministry said Iran’s security forces have arrested 11 people suspected of links to bloody attacks in Kerman and seized explosives.

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2024