'Shocked and saddened': India grieves Iran twin blasts that killed more than 100
PTC News Desk: India on Thursday expressed grief over the twin bomb blast in the Kermin city of Iran while expressing solidarity with the government and people of Iran.
"We are shocked and saddened by the terrible bombings in the Kerman City of Iran. At this difficult time, we express our solidarity with the government and the people of Iran. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and with the wounded," Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
According to CNN, the death toll from twin blasts in the Iranian city of Kerman on Wednesday near the burial site of slain military commander Qasem Soleimani has risen to 103.
Furthermore, 188 people were injured as a result of the explosion. Officials called it a "terrorist" attack, but no further details have been released.
The first explosion occurred 700 metres from Soleimani's grave, and the second occurred a kilometre (0.6 miles) away as pilgrims visited the site, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
According to CNN, the blasts occurred on the fourth anniversary of Soleimani's death from a US air strike, and they now pose a risk of escalating regional tensions that have been building since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
Although no organisation has claimed responsibility for the explosions, Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi has accused Israel of being behind them and warned that the country would pay a "heavy price."
"I warn the Zionist regime; do not doubt that you will pay a heavy price for this crime and the crimes you have committed," Raisi said, according to CNN, in a televised speech from Tehran.
Following the explosions, Iran's President issued a dire warning, stating that Israel would face "regrettable and severe" consequences.
-
