Iran says it arrested 35 people in relation to deadly Kerman attacks

Funeral ceremony of Faezeh Rahimi, one of the casualties of the Islamic State attack in Kerman

People carry the coffin of Faezeh Rahimi, one of the casualties of the Islamic State attack in Kerman, after Friday prayers in Tehran, Iran, January 5, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

Source: X07016

Iranian authorities have arrested 35 people in relation to the Jan. 3 attacks in the southeastern city of Kerman, the Intelligence Ministry said on Thursday, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

The ministry said it had identified one of the two suicide bombers as a national of Tajikistan, who entered Iran illegally on Dec. 19.

More information will be released at a later date about the second suicide bomber, the ministry said, adding that the arrests had been carried out in several Iranian provinces.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility on Jan. 4 for the attack that killed nearly 100 people and wounded 284, at a memorial for top commander Qassem Soleimani.

Tehran has vowed revenge for the bloodiest such attack since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.

By Reuters