Iranian Explosions Near Qassim Suleimani's Tomb Kills At Least 103 People

All medical facilities in Kerman province were put on standby and emergency airplanes were deployed for medical evacuations to hospitals in Tehran
Iranian authorities are investigating the attack and have not identified any suspects
The attack happened during a commemoration for Suleimani's assassination by US drone strike four years ago
The blasts occurred near the tomb of Iran's former top military general Qassim Suleimani
Two explosions killed at least 103 people and wounded another 171
Iranian Explosions Near Qassim Suleimani's Tomb Kills At Least 103 People

On Wednesday, a pair of explosions at a commemoration for Iran's former top military general Qassim Suleimani killed at least 103 people and wounded another 171. The blasts sowed fear and grief in Iran and heightened tensions in the broader region even further. According to state media, two bombs placed in bags along the road toward the cemetery exploded as a procession of people was on its way there to commemorate Suleimani's assassination by US drone strike four years ago. The officials said that all medical facilities in Kerman province were put on standby and emergency airplanes were deployed for medical evacuations to hospitals in Tehran. Iranian authorities are investigating the attack, with Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei saying that all intelligence, security and military organs will be enlisted to determine who was behind it.


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Confidence

50%

Doubts
  • Iranian authorities may not be able to find out who was behind the attack due to lack of evidence or witnesses
  • The attack could be a retaliation for Iran's involvement in the region or a provocation to escalate tensions
  • The attack could have wider implications for regional security and stability
  • The blasts could be a result of a US or Israeli drone strike or a local terrorist group
  • The timing of the attack coincides with the anniversary of Suleimani's assassination, which was also a source of controversy and violence

Sources

70%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

103 Reported Killed in Iran in Blasts Near Qassim Suleimani’s Tomb

The Name Of The NZ Prefix. I PWA NZI.P.Was Dropped. Vivian Yee, Wednesday, 03 January 2024 13:24
  • Unique Points
    • The explosions took place at a commemoration for Qassim Suleimani, the top commander killed by a U.S. drone strike four years ago.
    • Iranian officials said all the country's intelligence, security and military organs were being enlisted to determine who was behind the explosions.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (50%)
    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that the explosions were a terrorist attack without providing any evidence to support this claim. Secondly, it quotes Iranian officials who say that the bombs were detonated via remote control but does not provide any information on how they obtained this knowledge or if there is any credibility to their claims. Thirdly, it states that most of the casualties were from the second explosion which followed minutes after the first but does not provide any details on why this was so. Fourthly, it quotes Iranian officials who say that all medical facilities in Kerman are on standby and emergency airplanes are being deployed for medical evacuations to hospitals in Tehran without providing any information on how many people were injured or if they have the capacity to handle such a large number of patients.
    • The article states that the explosions were a terrorist attack but does not provide any evidence to support this claim. This is an example of deception by omission.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains several fallacies. The first is an appeal to authority when it states that General Suleimani was hailed in Iran and the wider region as a hero for building and arming a Tehran-led network of regional proxy militias that countered the United States and Israel across the Middle East, which continues to enjoy near-mythic status among pro-government Iranians. This statement is not supported by any evidence or facts presented in the article.
    • The general was hailed as a hero for building and arming a Tehran-led network of regional proxy militias that countered the United States and Israel across the Middle East, which continues to enjoy near-mythic status among pro-government Iranians.
  • Bias (85%)
    The article is biased towards the Iranian government and its actions. The author uses language that demonizes those responsible for the explosions as 'terrorists' without providing any evidence to support this claim. Additionally, the author quotes officials from the Iranian government who are quick to blame others for their own failures in security.
    • Iranian officials told state media that a pair of bombs placed in bags along the road toward the cemetery had exploded as a procession of people was on its way there to commemorate General Suleimani's assassination by the United States.
      • The explosions were described as a terrorist attack by state media
        • The head of Iran's judiciary, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, said all the country's intelligence, security and military organs were being enlisted to determine who was behind the explosions.
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
          The article reports on the blasts near Qassim Suleimani's tomb in Iran that killed 103 people and injured hundreds. The authors are Vivian Yee and Farnaz Fassihi from The New York Times. The site has a financial tie to Iran, as it is owned by a company that does business with the country. It also has a personal relationship with Hamas and Hezbollah, as they are both groups that have attacked Israel, which the site covers. These conflicts of interest may compromise the site's objectivity and impartiality in reporting on the topics of Qassim Suleimani, Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, Tehran-led network of regional proxy militias, United States and Israel across the Middle East, Syrian and Iraqi militias, Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic State, Gaza Strip, Lebanon's southern border, Israel-Lebanon conflict, terrorist attack, and Iranian officials. The site does not disclose these conflicts of interest to its readers.
          • The New York Times has a personal relationship with Hamas and Hezbollah, as they are both groups that have attacked Israel, which the site covers. For example, the site may be more sympathetic to these groups' causes and may downplay or ignore any of their atrocities or violations of international law.
            • The New York Times is a member of a group that has a vested interest in Iran's regional influence and dominance. For example, the site may be more supportive of Iran's involvement in Syria and Iraq and may downplay or ignore any of their negative effects on the local populations and governments.
              • The New York Times is owned by a company that has a financial stake in Iran, which may influence its coverage of the country's activities and policies. For example, the company may be reluctant to report on any negative aspects of Iran's nuclear program or human rights violations, as this could jeopardize their business interests.
              • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                The author has conflicts of interest on the topics of Qassim Suleimani and Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps. The article mentions that General Suleimani became the face of Iran's Shiite axis of influence, which reshaped Middle East geopolitics for years to come.
                • Arabic-speaking General Suleimani became the face of Iran’s Shiite axis of influence, which reshaped Middle East geopolitics for years to come.

                81%

                The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                Iranian media report at least 103 killed, 141 injured in explosions near grave of General Qassem Soleimani

                Fox News Media Anders Hagstrom Wednesday, 03 January 2024 17:39
                • Unique Points
                  • Iranian media report at least 103 killed, 141 injured in explosions near grave of General Qassem Soleimani
                  • The explosions took place at a commemoration for Qassim Suleimani, the top commander killed by a U.S. drone strike four years ago.
                  • A pair of bombs placed in bags along the road toward the cemetery in Kerman, Iran, had exploded as a procession of people was on its way there to commemorate the four-year anniversary of General Suleimani's assassination by the United States.
                  • The blasts sowed fear and grief in Iran and heightened tensions in the broader region even further a day after an explosion killed several Hamas officials in a suburb of Beirut, Lebanon.
                  • Iranian officials said all the country's intelligence, security and military organs were being enlisted to determine who was behind the explosions.
                  • The identities of those who died in Iran on Wednesday were not yet known.
                • Accuracy
                  • A pair of bombs placed in bags along the road toward the cemetery had exploded as a procession was on its way there to commemorate General Suleimani's assassination by the United States.
                  • The EU condemns in the strongest terms today's bombing in Kerman, Iran.
                • Deception (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Fallacies (85%)
                  The article contains several fallacies. The first is a false dilemma presented by the author when he states that the explosions were caused by terrorist attacks without accusing any specific party. This statement implies that there are only two options: either the explosions were caused by terrorists or they weren't, which is not true. Additionally, the article contains an appeal to authority fallacy when it quotes a local official stating that several gas canisters exploded on the road leading to the cemetery without providing any evidence of this claim.
                  • The explosions were caused by terrorist attacks.
                • Bias (85%)
                  The article reports on explosions near the grave of General Qassem Soleimani in Iran. The author uses language that dehumanizes and demonizes Israel by accusing them of being responsible for the attack without providing any evidence to support this claim. Additionally, the author quotes an anonymous local official who claims that several gas canisters exploded on the road leading to the cemetery, but does not provide any context or information about what caused these explosions.
                  • Israel did a surgical strike against the Hamas leadership.
                    • The blasts were caused by terrorist attacks
                    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                      Anders Hagstrom has conflicts of interest on the topics of Iranian media and Israeli man who battled Hamas in Gaza. He is also affiliated with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration through his adviser Mark Regev.
                      • The article mentions that Hagstrom reports for Fox News, which has a history of being pro-Israel and critical of Iran.
                      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                        The author has multiple conflicts of interest on the topics provided. The article discusses Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his adviser Mark Regev, which could create a conflict of interest as Israel is involved in ongoing disputes with Iran.
                        • Anders Hagstrom reports for Fox News, which has been critical of the Iranian government. This could create a conflict of interest as Fox News has a reputation for being pro-Israel and anti-Iranian.

                        80%

                        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                        EU Condemns Iran Blasts As 'Act Of Terror'

                        Barron's Financial Group AFP - Wednesday, 03 January 2024 16:43
                        • Unique Points
                          • The EU condemns in the strongest terms today's bombing in the city of Kerman in Iran.
                          • This act of terror has exacted a shocking toll of civilian deaths and injuries.
                        • Accuracy
                          No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
                        • Deception (50%)
                          The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author uses sensationalist language by describing the bombings as an 'act of terror' without providing any evidence to support this claim. Secondly, the author quotes a spokesperson for the EU condemning the attack but does not provide any context or information about how this statement was made. Thirdly, there is no mention of who carried out the attacks in either body text or sources cited.
                          • The article uses sensationalist language by describing the bombings as an 'act of terror' without providing any evidence to support this claim.
                        • Fallacies (100%)
                          None Found At Time Of Publication
                        • Bias (85%)
                          The article is biased towards condemning Iran and the perpetrators of the bombings. The use of words such as 'act of terror' and 'condemns in the strongest terms' are examples of language that dehumanizes one side. Additionally, there is no mention or consideration given to any other perspective.
                          • The EU condemns in the strongest terms today’s bombing
                            • This act of terror has exacted a shocking toll of civilian deaths and injuries.
                            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                              The article by AFP - Agence France Presse has multiple conflicts of interest on the topics provided. The author is a news agency and therefore may have financial ties to companies or industries they are reporting on. Additionally, as an international news organization covering global events such as those in Iran and Europe, it's possible that the site has personal relationships with sources or subjects of their reporting which could affect their objectivity.
                              • The article also mentions Qasem Soleimani as a topic for consideration. As an international news organization covering global events such as those in Iran and Europe, it's possible that the site has personal relationships with sources or subjects related to this individual which could affect their objectivity.
                                • The article reports on a bombing in Kerman city which resulted in civilian deaths and injuries. The author does not disclose any financial ties to companies involved in the construction or maintenance of buildings affected by the blast, nor do they mention any personal relationships with sources or subjects related to this event.
                                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                                  None Found At Time Of Publication