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Report: Major Blast Rocks Iranian City of Isfahan

Large Blast Heard in Isfahan, Iran FARS News Agency Reports

A cloud of black smoke rises after an explosion rocked a weapons depot in Iran Nov. 12, 2011. (Image source: Fars News Agency)

According to FARS news, an outlet with ties to the Iranian government, a large explosion rocked the Iranian city of Isfahan this afternoon. The blast, which occurred around 2 p.m., was large enough to be heard throughout the city.

The noise has been described as being akin to an explosion, Iranian sources report. According to the Jerusalem Post, Gholamreza Ansari, the head of the judiciary in the province, said, “In the afternoon, there was a noise like an explosion, but we don’t have any information from security forces on the source of the noise.”

As is typically the case when dealing with Iran, reports have been scarce, confusing and — at times — contradictory. The Guardian has reported that Rajanews, a web site linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, has published statements from the governor of Isfahan saying that the blast was part of a military exercise. But others have different ideas.

According to the Jerusalem Post, “Isfahan is home to nuclear experimental reactors, and also a uranium enrichment facility for producing nuclear fuel.” This is particularly important to note, because, having first gone into development back in 2004, this plant is crucial to Iran’s nuclear development.

Large Blast Heard in Isfahan, Iran FARS News Agency Reports

Smoke from the Nov. 12 blast (Image source: AP)

Because of the importance of this area to the nation’s nuclear program, some sources are wondering if Israel may be behind the blast.

Another news agency, called Mehr, reported that the blast had taken place at a gas station at a nearby town. This news comes two weeks after another major explosion happened near Tehran. Haaretz reports:

The reported incident occurred about two weeks after Gen. Hasan Tehrani Moghaddam was killed together with 20 other Guard members Nov. 12 at a military site outside Bidganeh village, 40 kilometers southwest of Tehran.

The Revolutionary Guard said the accidental explosion occurred while military personnel were transporting munitions.

Currently, authorities are investigating the matter, though Haaretz reports that the FARS news agency removed the report once news about it began circulating in Israel.

With contradictory reports and little more to go on, a firm explanation about what occurred hasn’t yet arisen.

 

 

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