Iranian Intelligence Reports Eleven Arrests
More than 80 people were killed in the devastating attack in Iran on Wednesday. Two days later, the intelligence agency apparently arrested eleven individuals. Suicide vests were also reported to have been found.
After the terrorist attack in the city of Kerman, the Iranian intelligence agency reportedly arrested eleven people, according to their own sources. Two of them apparently supported the two suicide bombers in their attack on Wednesday, as reported by the state news agency Irna, citing a statement from the intelligence agency. They were arrested after searches of the attackers’ residences.
Nine others are suspected of being connected to the attack. These individuals were part of a network of supporters of the attackers. According to Irna, the arrests were carried out in six provinces. The Ministry of Intelligence stated that explosives, suicide vests, remote control devices, and detonators were confiscated, as well as thousands of bullets intended for the suicide vests.
One of the suicide bombers held Tajik citizenship. The citizenship of the second individual has not yet been definitively determined. Independent verification of the Iranian intelligence agency’s information is not possible.
Reuters: US Confirms IS Involvement
According to Reuters, citing two sources, US intelligence agencies suspect the Afghan branch of the terrorist organization “Islamic State” (IS) behind the attack. This conclusion is said to be the result of surveillance activities. On Thursday, IS claimed responsibility for the attack.
- In the attack on Wednesday, two suicide bombers killed 89 people and injured 280. The attack targeted a commemorative event for the anniversary of the death of Iranian General Ghassem Soleimani in his hometown. It was the deadliest attack in the approximately 45-year history of the Islamic Republic.