Kerman tragedy

Terrorist attack in Kerman, Iran, has upped ante of conflagration in region

A terrorist attack in Kerman, Iran, has upped the ante of conflagration in the region. Two deadly explosions reportedly killed more than 100 people as they had gathered at the tomb of slain commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed by a US drone in Baghdad in 2020. This bloodshed on his fourth death anniversary coincided with another similar extermination of Hamas deputy chief Saleh Al Aruri, who was taken out allegedly by Israel in Lebanon the other day. Though none has claimed responsibility for the blasts inside Iran, and as a surprise the Islamic Republic too hasn’t jumped the gun to point a finger specifically at any one, it has nonetheless thrown open vistas of revenge at a time when the Middle East is on the verge of a major conflict in the wake of trauma and tragedies in Gaza.

Iran, however, played safe to its constituents by promising revenge. The country has been a victim of many such reprisals on the part of non-state actors in plenty in the region. But the gravity of Kerman blasts reminded the revolutionary nation of a similar attack on its parliament way back after the 1979 revolution, which killed more than 72 legislators and maimed its sitting supreme leader Syed Ali Khamenei. It could be anyone behind Wednesday’s bombing such as the dreaded Islamic State or home-grown fissure, but as it had a semblance with Soleimani, the plot widens to irresistibly include the Jewish state and Iran’s sworn adversary, the United States. Perhaps, this is why President Biden’s administration promptly issued a statement, saying the blasts appeared to represent “a terrorist attack” whereas Israel was conspicuous by its silence.

It’s time for extreme caution by all the stakeholders in the region. Israel is spitting venom and Mossad chief David Barnea’s threat to “settling the score” with Hamas has literally widened the conflict. With two million Gazans in a state of disarray, and extra-territorial militants gearing up for a role, it is nothing but a precursor to disaster. Ensuring that Iran stays out of it as a state actor is a must.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2024.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.