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Two in Tehran Are Missing After Explosion Near Military Complex Explosion Around Military Site Jolts Tehran, and 2 Are Missing
(about 11 hours later)
TEHRAN — A mysterious explosion at or near an important military complex rocked the Iranian capital on Sunday, lighting up the skies over the city. TEHRAN — A mysterious explosion at or near an important military complex rocked the Iranian capital on Sunday, lighting up the skies over the city.
Iranian official sources denied the explosion had taken place at the complex, the expansive Parchin military site in the east of the city, where international monitors suspect Iran once tested triggers for potential nuclear weapons. But the enormous orange flash that illuminated Tehran around 11:15 p.m. local time clearly came from that direction, several witnesses said. Iranian official sources denied the explosion had taken place at the complex, the expansive Parchin military site east of the city, where international monitors suspect Iran once tested triggers for potential nuclear weapons. But the enormous orange flash that illuminated Tehran around 11:15 p.m. local time clearly came from that direction, several witnesses said.
Officials at Iran’s Defense Industries Organization, though also denying that the explosion took place at Parchin, confirmed that two people were missing after “an ordinary fire” caused by “chemical reactions of flammable material” at an unspecified production unit, according to the semiofficial Iranian Student News Agency. There was no word on the location of the fire. Officials at Iran’s Defense Industries Organization, though also denying that the explosion took place at Parchin, confirmed that two people were missing after “an ordinary fire” caused by “chemical reactions of flammable material” at an unspecified production unit, according to the semiofficial Iranian Students’ News Agency. There was no word on the location of the fire.
Witnesses in the east of Tehran said that windows had been shattered in the vicinity of the military complex, and that all trees in a hundred yard radius of two villages, Changi and Hammamak, were burned. The villages are right on the outskirts of the military site. Witnesses in the east of Tehran said that windows had been shattered in the vicinity of the military complex and that all trees in a hundred-yard radius of two villages, Changi and Hammamak, had been burned. The villages are on the outskirts of the military site.
Inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency were given access to Parchin in 2005, but they have since been refused follow-up inspections. The United Nations agency is still seeking access to the site, where they suspect Iran of having conducted high-explosive experiments related to nuclear weapon research. Iran has denied this, and says the site is part of its regular military program and is therefore off-limits to inspections. Inspectors with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the monitoring arm of the United Nations, were given access to Parchin in 2005, but they have since been refused follow-up inspections. The agency is still seeking access to the site, where it suspects Iran of having conducted high-explosive experiments related to nuclear weapon research. Iran has denied this and says the site is part of its regular military program and is therefore off limits to inspections.
Built during the reign of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, the site — partly buried in the Barjamali hills — was traditionally used as a munitions storage facility but is now also used for the production of missile engines and drones.Built during the reign of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, the site — partly buried in the Barjamali hills — was traditionally used as a munitions storage facility but is now also used for the production of missile engines and drones.
From roughly 2010 until 2012 Iran was plagued by a series of mysterious explosions and incidents involving critical gas pipeline infrastructure and military sites. In 2011 a huge explosion west of Tehran killed 17 people, including the head of the Revolutionary Guard’s missile program. From roughly 2010 until 2012, Iran was plagued by a series of mysterious explosions and occurrences involving critical gas pipeline infrastructure and military sites. In 2011 a huge explosion west of Tehran killed 17 people, including the head of the Revolutionary Guards’ missile program.
While officials say most of the disasters have been accidents, representatives of President Hassan Rouhani’s government have in the past accused Western powers and Israel of a campaign to sabotage Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.While officials say most of the disasters have been accidents, representatives of President Hassan Rouhani’s government have in the past accused Western powers and Israel of a campaign to sabotage Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.