HistoryData
general2010

2010 terrorist attack in Iran

September 18, 2010

A bomb detonated during a military parade in Mahabad, Iran, killing 12 civilians and wounding dozens at an event marking the Iran–Iraq War anniversary.

Quick Facts

Year
2010
Category
general

Key Facts

Date
September 22, 2010
Civilians killed
12
Wounded (medics' report)
81
Location
Mahabad, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran
Occasion
30th anniversary military parade, Iran–Iraq War
Responsibility claimed
None; blamed on counter-revolutionary groups

By the Numbers

222,010
Date
12
Civilians killed
81
Wounded (medics' report)
30
Occasion

Location

Map of Mahabad, IranMap of Mahabad, IranMahabad, Iran

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

A bomb was covertly placed near the seating area of senior Iranian military personnel ahead of a parade in Mahabad commemorating the 30th anniversary of the start of the Iran–Iraq War. No group claimed responsibility, though Iranian officials attributed the attack to counter-revolutionary groups, former Iraqi Ba'ath party officers, and American mercenaries.

Event

On September 22, 2010, during a military parade in Mahabad, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran, a hidden explosive device detonated among spectators. The blast killed 12 civilians and wounded between 35 and 81 people, with the provincial governor noting that most victims were women and children.

Consequence

Iranian authorities launched investigations and publicly blamed foreign-backed counter-revolutionary elements for the attack. The provincial commander of the Revolutionary Guard attributed responsibility to former Iraqi Ba'ath party officers and American mercenaries, heightening political tensions around the event's security failures.

Timeline Context

Timeline around 201020102007200820092011201220132010 FIFA World Cup — 19th FIFA World Cup, held in South Africa2010s — decade from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2019Euromaidan — 2013–2014 pro-european protests in UkraineJanuary 2010 — month of 2010European sovereign-debt crisis — multi-year debt crisis in multiple EU countries since late 20092010 Summer Youth Olympics — 2010 edition of the Summer Youth Olympics2010 Formula One World Championship — 64th season of Formula One motor racingRevolution of Dignity — 2014 revolution in Ukrainemahabad-parade-bombing-2010