In a shocking development, the media wing of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Al-Furqan, issued a statement on Thursday claiming responsibility for the dual bombings that rocked Kerman, southern Iran, on Wednesday. The explosions occurred during a ceremony in southeastern Iran, resulting in dozens of casualties and scores of injuries.
The statement, titled "And Kill Them Wherever you Find Them," revealed that two brothers, named in the document, targeted a gathering of what they referred to as "polytheists" near the grave of their "dead leader" Qasem Soleimani. The assailants allegedly detonated explosive vests amidst the crowd.
ISIS, which views the Shia branch of Islam as heretical, has a history of targeting religious sites and shrines in Iran. The statement also contained a warning to the perceived "polytheists," cautioning them that the "mujahideen are lying in wait for them and their projects."
As of now, Iran has not officially commented on ISIS's claim of responsibility. However, accusations emerged shortly after the bombings, with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi initially blaming Israel for the attacks. This raised concerns of a potential escalation in the already tense Israel-Hamas conflict. Israel's military has not issued any comments on the incident.
Prior to ISIS's statement, analysts and a U.S. official had speculated that the bombings bore the hallmarks of a terror attack. State Department spokesperson Matt Miller acknowledged the ISIS claim but stated that the U.S. was "not ready to offer a formal assessment" at a media briefing on Thursday. He emphasized that the attack displayed all the hallmarks of an ISIS operation.