𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝟖𝟒 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for twin bombs that exploded in Kerman, Iran, on January 3, killing over 100 people and injuring hundreds more. The incident shows Iran’s continued  suspicion toward the group, which stems from ideological differences and Iran’s assistance for counter-Islamic State operations. Iran has reinforced border security along its borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan, most likely with the assistance of the Afghan Taliban and Pakistani authorities in their fight against local Islamic State terrorists. However, given organizational dispersion and the challenges of tribal expansion, it is unlikely that Iran will mount its own independent military operation against the Islamic State beyond its border. Nevertheless, Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, has promised tough retaliation for the incident. Iran’s leaders hold the view that Israel is attempting to provoke Iran into a full-scale conflict in order to prevent the United States from pulling out of the region, and they often laud Tehran’s “strategic patience” in pursuing this goal.

Amid rising regime disillusionment and the impending spring parliamentary elections, the government’s approach to security is shaping up to become a hotly debated topic at home in the upcoming months.

@prognoz_news