Iranian authorities have arrested 35 individuals in connection with the double explosion that occurred on January 3rd in the southern Iranian city of Kerman. The incident resulted in over 100 fatalities and left dozens injured, as reported by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency, citing the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence.
According to the Ministry, the identity of one of the two suicide bombers has been determined. He was reported to be a citizen of Tajikistan who had illegally entered Iran on December 19th of the previous year.
Further information about the second suicide bomber will be released at a later time, the ministry added, noting that the arrests took place across several Iranian provinces.
The Islamic State organization claimed responsibility for the Kerman explosions on January 4th, as conveyed by Reuters, citing a statement from the group on its Telegram channels.
In response to the attack, which has been described as the deadliest in Iran since the 1979 Iranian Revolution that overthrew the monarchical regime, Tehran vowed to retaliate. The Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stated that the response to the Kerman bombings would be severe, and that the followers of Qasem Soleimani would not tolerate this crime. Similarly, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi declared that vengeance against those behind the terrorist attack in Kerman was inevitable and decisive.
