Islamic State Claims Deadly Twin Bombings at Suleimani Memorial in Iran

The Islamic State (ISIS) has taken responsibility for the twin explosions that killed 84 people and wounded 284 others in Kerman, Iran, on Wednesday.

Initially, Iranian officials stated that the death toll from the two blasts was 103 on Wednesday. Nevertheless, on Thursday, the interior minister, Ahmad Vahidi, revised the number downwards to 84, as reported by Tasnim, a semiofficial news agency.

The attack targeted a memorial procession for Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, a top Iranian military officer who was assassinated by the United States four years ago. 

The extremist group said two of its militants detonated explosive belts near the grave of the "hypocrite leader" and called the attack a “dual martyrdom operation”.

Iran has declared a national day of mourning and vowed to punish the perpetrators. 

The bombing was the latest in a series of attacks by the Islamic State against Iran, a majority-Shiite country and a regional rival.