Step 1 Heat the olive oil over moderate heat in a large heavy-bottomed stock pot. Add the onion, carrots, pomegranate molasses and cumin. Cover the pot and lower the heat. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 2 Add 3 cups of stock and simmer, covered, until the carrots are very tender, about an hour. Take off the heat and let cool.
Step 3Puree, in batches if necessary, in a blender, adding the final cup of stock. The puree should be very smooth; if it isn't, you may want to pour the soup through a strainer.
Step 4Return to the burner and heat through until hot. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 5Ladle the soup into soup plates, spooning extra pomegranate molasses around the center (about one-half teaspoon per bowl) and sprinkling with pomegranate seeds. Serve immediately.