At least 84 people were murdered in the twin explosions in Iran that were claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group, which the UN Security Council denounced as “reprehensible” on Thursday.
The day before, on the anniversary of Revolutionary Guards General Qasem Soleimani’s death from a targeted US drone hit in Baghdad four years ago, there was a memorial ceremony for him. That’s when the explosions happened.
The explosions on Wednesday in the southern city of Kerman, close to Soleimani’s mausoleum, also caused hundreds of injuries.
The members of the Security Council issued a statement in which they “condemned in the strongest terms the cowardly terrorist attack in the city of Kerman.”
The incident was claimed by IS on Thursday, the day Iran held a day of national mourning for those who had died.
Although the initial death toll has been revised down from around 100, the UN Security Council statement still held it at “more than 100.”
The Council “reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security,” while also expressing its “deepest sympathy and condolences” for the victims’ families and government of Iran.
It additionally urged all states “to cooperate actively” with Iran in holding “perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable.”
“Any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed,” the Security Council statement said.
Iran has suffered deadly attacks in the past from jihadists and other militants, as well as targeted killings of officials and nuclear scientists blamed on arch foe Israel.
Regional tensions have surged in the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in early October.
