Blasts near Soleimani's tomb kill at least 103 on anniversary of Iran commander's death: State media

Two explosions near Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani's tomb killed at least 103 people who gathered there Wednesday on the anniversary of his 2020 death, according to Iranian state media. 

In addition to the 103 deaths, 141 people were injured, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency. The first explosion occurred less than half a mile from his tomb as people walked toward the area to commemorate his death, while the second explosion occurred about .6 miles away, according to the state-run outlet. 

An official from Iran's Kerman Province, where the explosions occurred, said the blasts were the result of terrorism.

As of Wednesday morning, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei did not comment on the explosions on X, formerly Twitter, but has made posts about weaponry and support for Palestine in its war against Israel, as Iran has provided backing for Hamas and other terror groups throughout the region. 

Maj. Gen. Soleimani of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a U.S. State Department-Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, was killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2020.

Iran called him a martyr after his death, and Iranian leaders vowed to take revenge for his killing. The country also sanctioned U.S. citizens and threatened former President Donald Trump and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who were in office when Solemani was killed. 

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