Ayatollah Khamenei Condolence Terrorist Act in Kerman

Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, has issued a message following the martyrdom of a number of pilgrims who were martyred in a terrorist attack while en route to the tomb of Martyr General Soleimani in Kerman’s Garden of Martyrs on January 3, 2024.

The message came hours after at least 103 people were killed and 211 injured in two explosions against mourners who were on their way to visit the tomb of Qassem Soleimani, a top Iranian general who was assassinated four years ago on this day in a US drone strike near the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

The following is the text of this message.

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

The evil, criminal enemies of the Iranian nation have once again created a tragedy and martyred a large number of our dear people in Kerman in the fragrant atmosphere of the Martyrs’ tombs.

The Iranian nation is in grief, and many families are mourning the death of their loved ones. The stony-hearted criminals could not tolerate seeing the love and affection of the people for visiting the tomb of their great commander, Martyr Qasem Soleimani. They should know that the soldiers who are traveling on the bright path of Soleimani will not tolerate their vileness and crime. As of now, both the hands stained with the blood of innocent people and the corrupt, evil minds that led them to this miscalculation will definitely be the target of a severe pounding and a deserving retribution. They should know that, God willing, this tragedy will be met with a strong response.

I sympathize and am with the bereaved families, and I pray for their patience and consolation from Almighty God. The pure souls of these martyrs will, God willing, be the guests of the “Lady of Two Worlds,” the “Mother of the Martyrs,” Lady Siddiqah Tahirah [Fatimah Zahra] (peace be upon her). I would also like to extend my sympathies to those who were injured in this tragedy, and I pray to God for their healing.

Sayyid Ali Khamenei
Jan. 3, 2024