Deadly blasts near Soleimani's gravesite escalate tensions in Middle East

• Iran marks day of mourning and threatens retaliation for deadly explosions.

• Twin blasts near Qasem Soleimani's gravesite kill 84 and injure 280.

• No claim of responsibility yet, but Iran blames Israel for the attack.

Qasem Soleimani in his uniform

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Iran is engulfed in sorrow and anger as the nation observes a day of public mourning following a devastating twin blast near the gravesite of Qasem Soleimani, the late Iranian military commander. According to revised reports from Iranian state media, the explosions claimed the lives of 84 individuals and left more than 280 injured. Soleimani was killed in a US airstrike in Baghdad four years ago, and the crowds had gathered to pay tribute to the revered general. While no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has squarely blamed Israel, issuing a stern warning that the country will face severe consequences for this 'crime.'

Israel has refrained from offering any comment on the matter, while the United States has categorically denied its involvement. US officials, however, believe that the attack could bear the hallmark of an ISIS-style operation. Iranian authorities have vowed that there will be a heavy price to pay for this act of violence.

The shocking incident unfolded on Wednesday afternoon when the first blast occurred around 700 meters away from Soleimani's grave. It is believed that a bomb, concealed inside a suitcase, was placed in a car and triggered remotely. Just 20 minutes later, a second explosion, even more lethal, took place approximately one kilometer away from the grave. It was strategically timed to ensure maximum casualties as people rushed to help those injured in the initial blast.

Condemnation of the attacks has poured in from across the region, with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates among those expressing their outrage. However, the questions of who is responsible for these heinous acts and what their motives might be remain unanswered, heightening the tensions already suffusing the region.

This tragic incident has occurred at an incredibly delicate moment, as tensions run high throughout the Middle East. The assassination of a Hamas leader in Beirut the previous day and the recent killing of an Iranian military member on Christmas Day have further exacerbated the already heightened state of affairs.

As the international community awaits answers regarding the perpetrators behind these attacks, concerns persist that this could be a precursor to a wider regional conflict. The potential for escalation looms ominously, and Lebanon's Foreign Minister has expressed reservations about a regional war, highlighting the inherent danger it poses to all countries involved.

The situation remains fluid, and as investigations continue, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for stability and peace in a region teetering on the brink.