Iran says 2 explosions have killed over 100 people honoring an assassinated general

Updated January 3, 2024 at 10:35 AM ET

Two explosions in southeastern Iran have killed more than 100 people and injured over 140, according to Iran's state media, which said Iranian officials called the blasts a "terrorist attack."

Iranian news outlets said the blasts struck 10 minutes apart in the city of Kerman around a ceremony marking the anniversary of the killing of a prominent Iranian military leader.

What specifically cause of the explosions remains unclear, as news outlets cited conflicting theories.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the explosions.

"The incident took place in Kerman Martyrs Cemetery where thousands of people were observing the fourth martyrdom anniversary of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani," Iran's Mehr News Agency wrote on social media.

Soleimani, who was the head of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad, Iraq, in January 2020.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. [Copyright 2024 NPR]