Before the attack in Kerman, the US reportedly informed Iran about IS’s terrorist plans. Analysis predicts a strong shift to the right in the European elections

According to media reports, the US government warned Tehran about possible attack plans by the terrorist group “Islamic State (IS)” before the serious suicide attack in Iran in early January. “Before the IS terrorist attack in Kerman on January 3, 2024, the US government sent Iran a private warning that a terrorist threat existed within Iran’s borders,” the Wall Street Journal and CNN quoted a US official as saying on Thursday. .

On January 3, two suicide bombers killed more than 90 people and injured about 280 others in the city of Kerman. The attack targeted a memorial event marking the anniversary of General Ghassem Soleimani’s death in his hometown. It was the deadliest attack in the Islamic Republic’s 45-year history. IS has claimed responsibility for the attack.

It is unclear how the US relayed the warning and what exactly was communicated, the reports said. The United States and Iran do not maintain formal diplomatic relations. When asked, the US State Department declined to comment. According to the US government representative, such information arises from a “duty to warn”. “We are issuing these warnings in part because we do not want innocent people to lose their lives in terrorist attacks.”

The Sunni IS views Iran’s majority Shia population as apostates from Islam and despises them. A regional branch of IS is active in neighboring Afghanistan.

(hah/sda/dpa)