Reactions from Iraq to Kerman explosions in Iran

IRAQ, 3 Jan — Religious and political leaders from Iraq have swiftly voiced their reactions to the recent attacks in Kerman, Iran, that resulted in 73 fatalities and 170 wounded among the mourners commemorating the fourth anniversary of General Qassem Soleimani’s death.

Iraq’s highest Shiite authority, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, extended his heartfelt condolences in a Farsi message that read:

The terrorist incident today in Kerman province, which has drawn hundreds of innocent people in blood and soil, has caused us great regret and sorrow. This heartfelt condolences is offered to the grieving families and all the noble people of Iran. We ask the Almighty God for mercy for the dear martyrs and a speedy recovery for the wounded.

Muqtada al-Sadr, a significant figure in Iraq, conveyed his profound distress over the attacks, underscoring the shared grief with Iran. In his statement, al-Sadr said:

We have received with profound sadness and sorrow the news of the terrorist bombing that affected innocent civilians in our dear neighboring Iran. As we offer our condolences to the Iranian people, we pray for their safety, peace, and righteousness in this life and the hereafter, and for steadfastness in the love of the guardians of the people of the House (Ahl al-Bayt) and in following the path of the righteous and the martyrs, who are the best of companions. [in Farsi] We offer our condolences to the people of Iran.

In Kurdistan, Both Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, and Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the KRG, condemned the attacks.

In a statement, Nechirvan Barzani said:

We condemn the terrorist bombings that targeted the city of Kerman in the Islamic Republic of Iran today, killing and injuring dozens of Iranian citizens. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the leadership, Government, and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran during this difficult time. We stand in solidarity with them and share their sorrow. May the souls of the victims rest in peace, and may their families find solace and comfort in this trying period. We hope for a swift recovery for the injured.

Masrour Barzani described the bombings as “cowardly attacks” and expressed his sympathies and wishes for a rapid recovery for the injured. He said in a post on X:

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 -mb.

The details of the attack, as provided by Babak Yektafarast, reveal that two explosions struck the area near the Martyrs’ Cemetery in Kerman, causing significant casualties and raising the toll to 243. The first explosion occurred in the Kenbd mountainous region, while the second took place near the Sahib al-Zaman mosque in Darkah Goli Beig.

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