Reuters cites American sources: 'ISIS Khorasan' responsible for deadly explosions in Kerman

Several American intelligence sources told Reuters in an exclusive report that information and evidence collected by the United States indicates that 'ISIS Khorasan' based in Afghanistan is responsible for two deadly explosions on Wednesday in Iran. These sources, who requested anonymity, told the news agency on Friday, January 5, that 'this information is clear and undeniable.' The explosions occurred on Wednesday, January 3, during a memorial ceremony for Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of the Quds Force who was killed by the U.S. in 2020. According to this information, two suicide bombers with explosive belts participated in the attack, which resulted in nearly 100 deaths and hundreds of injuries. The state news agency IRNA reported that 284 people were injured in the incident, with 137 of them receiving treatment in hospitals. On Friday, the Islamic Republic claimed that security forces had arrested 11 suspects involved in the attack. Ahmad Vahidi, Iran's Minister of the Interior, claimed on January 5 that intelligence systems had found 'good leads,' and some of those involved in the incident had been arrested, with security agencies to provide further information later. Some social media users have accused the Iranian government of being the main culprit in the deadly explosions during the government ceremony commemorating the death of Qassem Soleimani in Kerman. Some users, supporting this accusation, pointed to the absence of Qassem Soleimani's family and commanders of the IRGC at his memorial ceremony in Kerman. American officials say that while the Taliban's crackdown has weakened ISIS Khorasan, this ISIS-affiliated group continues to plan foreign operations. The death toll from the Kerman explosions has risen to 89; the Islamic Republic claims to have arrested 'some' of the perpetrators. The Islamic Republic is making efforts to counter social media users; the Attorney General has ordered a crackdown. A senior advisor from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies stated that the Kerman explosions represent a type of internal security threat and have no connection to Israel or the U.S. Prince Reza Pahlavi stated that ISIS and the Islamic Republic are two sides of the same coin of radical Islamic terrorism. The U.S. response to ISIS's claim of responsibility for the Kerman explosions: 'Our assessment is the same.' The UN Security Council condemned the deadly Kerman explosions. ISIS claimed responsibility for the deadly Kerman explosions on the anniversary of Soleimani's death.