Accidental Explosions at Iranian Military Base Kill 17, State Media Says
- Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:02am by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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A cloud of black smoke rises after accidental explosions rocked an ammunitions depot in Iran. (Image source: Fars News Agency)
Two massive accidental explosions rocked a military weapons depot near the Iranian capital of Tehran Saturday, killing at least 17 people and injuring others while troops were transporting munitions, Iranian state television reported.
According to Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency, the blasts happened around noon in one of the arsenals belonging to the Revolutionary Guard, Iran’s military force.
“My dear colleagues in the Revolutionary Guards were moving munitions in one of the arsenals at that base when, due to an incident, an explosion happened,” a spokesman for the Revolutionary Guard said on state TV after the blasts first happened. “Fifteen people were martyred and scores of others injured. Some of those injured are in critical condition.”
The spokesman did not say what precisely caused the explosion, but Iranian lawmaker Parviz Soroori said it was not due to sabotage.
“No sabotage was involved in this incident. It has nothing to do with politics,” Soroori was quoted as saying by the parliament’s website.
Witnesses told Reuters the explosions were so strong they were felt nearly 30 miles away. Many assumed there had been a minor earthquake. CBS reported the blasts were strong enough to break nearby building windows.
The explosion comes amid rising tensions between Israel and the United States. Earlier this week, a report from the International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran is working to procure equipment to design a nuclear bomb under the guise of a peaceful nuclear energy program.
Days ago, Israel’s defense minister warned they would not “take any option off the table” with regard to a possible strike against Iran’s nuclear weapons program. A report last week said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to rally support among his cabinet for an attack on Iran.
Media reports varied on the actual death toll Saturday, first reported at 15, then at 27 before being confirmed at 17.
This post has been updated since it was first published.
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Comments (135)
OlefromMN
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:46amI am actually surprised that Iran immediately admitted this was “due to an incident, an explosion happened,”. Iran doesn’t usually miss an opportunity to blame Israel and stir up the Middle East.
Report Post »bhosux
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:45amWhy do Islameic Countries even have Hospitals? If the goal is to be with OOlah and 7 mules and 1 virgin. Then what’s the point in even having Doctors or any Health care at all? They could save all those funds and put them towards suicide weapons. It’s only logical for their point of priorities. I have to go now and send more money to Herman Cain. The more they attack him…. the more I send.
Report Post »qpwillie
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:49amMe too!!
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:55amOnly 15 …… Damn
Report Post »demint.disciple
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:55amFools…lol
Report Post »Nostradumbass
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 9:05amCome here to view and appreciate the the skills and refined ability to spew hatred and bigotry by the majority of you “christians” on this site. Have yet to be disappointed. Between your hatred, bigotry and wanting to kill anyone that is not of the same mind thought, I often pause to wonder just how this country will survive. The i remember that this country has gone through this so many times in its past that it has become as Americana as apple pie, mom and hot dogs. Spew away!
Report Post »RichNGadsden
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 9:07amNow, if only they can accomplish the same thing with their nuclear weapons attempt.
Report Post »MHOSS
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 9:09amAmen brother! Very good point. Let’s do everything we can to get Herman Cain in the Whitehouse. We need someone who supports Israel and not Iran like the loser we have in office now.
Report Post »Devil Dog 7175
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 9:11am15 is a good start…
Report Post »pscully17
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 9:14amAccidental Explosion ( wink wink)… hopefully Isreal had a hand in that, God knows, Obamas admin didnt.
Report Post »GETLIFE
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 9:43amNOSTRADUMBASS… Welcome back! I guess we are just inspired by the Zucotti Park squatters.
Report Post »techengineer11
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 10:02amMorgenstein: Please allow me to post my thoughts.. Beck is not for Censorship is he? Is
Report Post »Beck and the Blaze afraid of thoughts?
turkey13
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 10:03amYou have to admit yhat they know hoe to send out press releases. Instead of 15 people were martyred, it could have said “15 people were blown to hell!”
Report Post »uncleherbert
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 10:09amI stand with Herman also, I’m sending more cash ! Iran will self destruct, it is a religeon of hate.
Report Post »ishka4me
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 10:11amsounds like a vince flynn story
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 10:49amoopps.
Report Post »capitalismrocks
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 11:10am@Nostradumbass — Iran is unofficially at war with the United States, it is against and enemy of everything the United States and freedom stands for, so in all honesty it can be tempting (though some do it in a little poor taste) to mock and make fun of an enemy when they do something stupid.
I’m more then sure you can refresh your memory to remember how people in the middle east jumped for joy, laughed and celebrated as 3,000 people met a fiery, crushing fate as the World Trade Centers fell and as the Pentagon was set ablaze and a quiet field in Penn. became a crater-grave for airline passengers.
Further – we had this same sentiment for the Soviet/Russian Communists as well during the Cold War and now the Cold War seems to be on the rise again as Putin reconstitutes the USSR back again, so these phuns and jokes are being made at an enemy who would surely love to see 15 million, nevermind 15 dead or dying in America, so see both sides of the coin.
Report Post »smackdown33
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 11:56amCapitalismRocks, if facts mean anything to you, then surely you must know that America has been at war with the people of Iran since 1953. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy3KDYE5KQE
Fact is, America has been at war with every country in the Middle East that opposes Israel; to the long detriment of America, its people, and its wealth.
Wake up.
Report Post »ishka4me
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 12:30pmbefore the fire is out they claim no sabotage. Makes you wonder. I think the suspect sabotage but don’t want to give credit to enemies.
Report Post »ishka4me
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 12:31pmkind of like when Nolan Ryan would accidently hit a batter that at last bat got a home run. I guess it is possible
Report Post »MOLLYPITCHER
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 2:56pm@Nostradumbass
Report Post »I’m not interested in killing anyone. Where do you get your info/prejudices?
kle57
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 3:35pm@Nostradumbass
Report Post »I didnt see any comments that said anything about the posters faith. Why do you just assume Christian? Why no rant about Hindus, Buddhist, Muslims, Jews or any other religion? I know it’s because true Christians are such easy targets and they wont park a car bomb in front of your house.
ForeverTexan
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:44am… Bush did it.
Report Post »streetrodder
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:44amAnd these nut jobs are developing a nuke? Let um. They will blow themselves up.
Report Post »Konacow
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:43amHad to be our friend “ Achmed the Dead Terrorist ” at work again, with his 72 male virgins, LOL
Report Post »1casawizard
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 9:18amOr a 72 year old male virgin.
Report Post »RichNGadsden
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 9:20amLOL, another one of his “Premature Detonations!”
Report Post »Armed Patriot
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 9:51amI kill you…
Report Post »Wildape
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 12:05pmI keel you!
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 1:24pmI…Keel…YOU!
Report Post »ThroughTheLies
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:13pmHahahaaa…. Don’t you guys realize this was just a suicide bomber training camp?? The only problem was that one of them got a little to close to the rest of the vests!! Really though, with how religious they are shouldn’t they take this as a sign from Allah to stay away from anything that goes BOOM!!
Report Post »LOJ
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:38amDue to bad leadership, Iran faces troubles from within their own leadership and among the military.
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 9:46amSort of reminds you of AMERICA don’t it.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:37amSilly Muslims, sophisticated weaponry is for infidels.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:44amLoL :)
Report Post »GumRock
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 11:23amLOL
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQQGGZr4Jns&feature=related
cloudsofwar
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:37aman accident? 15 martyrs? martyrs don’t die in accidents. just doesn’t add up. who did this? inside job.
Report Post »mama6
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:47amMartyrs was an odd choice of words but I think they believe that all who die doing something for their cause is a martyr.
Report Post »South Philly Boy
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:37amMust of been SUICIDE BOMBER RIGS going off PREMATURLY
Report Post »voxoffreedom
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:32amHmmmm…..made in China?
Report Post »Gary_K
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:29amOnly 15 new martyrs?
Gee, too bad! I was hoping for many more.
Report Post »Mojoron
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:39am15 X 72, thats a lot of satisfied customers.
Report Post »Steve0218
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:27amGot this off of Jerusalem post http://www.jpost.com
TEHRAN – Fifteen Iranian servicemen were killed and several others seriously wounded in an explosion on Saturday at a military base near Tehran that happened as troops were moving munitions, a Revolutionary Guards spokesman told state TV.
“My dear colleagues in the Revolutionary Guards were moving munitions in one of the arsenals at that base when, due to an incident, an explosion happened,” Ramezan Sharif told news channel IRINN.
“Some of the casualties are reported to be in a critical condition,” he added
Report Post »LarryofArabia
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:26amThe Iranians are in serious trouble. No matter what happened in this case… and I assume because it happened during daylight hours, it was not Israel, this is a preview of coming attractions.
The Iranians will be looking for the new moon (no moon) in anticipation of incoming strikes. Even if the strikes do not come, their pschy will be frail from worry.
You reap what you sow.
Report Post »Hobo Boondocks
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:23amAnother premature detonation? These fellows really need to get their act together!
Report Post »Black Midge
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:26amNo they don’t
Report Post »GTH
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:21amHey Mohamed, this valve stuck. You gotta hammer?
Report Post »No. Here, use this ole mortar round. It’s too old to blow up now, i think.
Ok. tap…tap… KABOOM! KABOOM!
welloddyfriggindah
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:20amWhen Israel needs to act it won’t be mistakened for a nearby earthquake, it may feel like an earthquake from several hundred miles away, but not nearby.
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:39amIF this is the true scenario, I doubt Israel had anything to do with it. I don‘t think they’ll waste time on the small stuff.
Report Post »ares338
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:20amNo worries folks……just suicide bomb practice…..move along.
Report Post »Tony
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:36ampossibly ignited by a field test of the latest suicide bomb vest just a tiny bit too close to the explosives depot.
Report Post »Black Midge
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:20amIt begins ! !
Report Post »Steve0218
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:17amHmmm If it is Israel I can’t blame them. They have been patient for far too long, maybe too long to do anything about it. If it is them we all need to be very vocal with our support.
Report Post »uncleherbert
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 10:26am@techengin, Your hatred will consume you. Your life will be wasted. The truth has no agenda. Go Tea !
Report Post »techengineer11
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 10:40amuncleherbert: I am on the side of TRUTH. You are correct truth will prevail.
Report Post »OperationNorthwoods
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:14amCould be the work of some of the Al-Queda groups that we are funding to destabalize things over there. Or Isreal. Who knows?
Report Post »8fishpimp8
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:25amWho is we…………..
Report Post »You got a Persian in your pocket?
NOBAMA201258
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 12:16pmOr it could really have been an accident! Israel would have done a much better job,with or without our help.Let’s get that muslim obama out of the White House!
Report Post »Jomil48
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:14amOr, were they testing.
Report Post »demint.disciple
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:11amHope it was nuclear…
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:11amDo not say that it was Israel… Say: Iran shot itself in the foot, again :)
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:24amYeah, there military is nothing but hajis running at you snapping there shamwows at you.
Report Post »2AM
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:10amHope it isn’t a false flag attack that Iran uses to rally opposition to Israel.
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:33amWondering that myself. Iran intentionally sets off the explosion and screams to the world it was a “terrorist” attack by Israel.
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 11:51amIsrael would never resort to something that despicable…but Iran, on the other hand….right?
Report Post »bigdeg
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:08amWell, this may be the start of what Israel has planned for Iran. If I could enlist in the Israel army, i would. Iran is an Evil Empire.
Report Post »GOD bless the USA and Israel!
YepImaConservative
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:19amWe can only hope that Israel has had enough of Iran’s bluster and takes matters into their own hands. I support Israel and also support our own intiiatives (if we ever get some) in taking down Iran’s Nuke facilities and taking out their famed (lol) Revolutionary Guard.
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:29amAyep I don’t think the average American understands just how dangerouse this situation is. ook at N Korea, Carter and Clinton did a bang-up job there. Money was given to promote the development of nuclear power, now they have the bomb. Great thinking.
Report Post »demint.disciple
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:31amBut wait… The ayatollah supports OWS …
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 8:56am@ dimint It was Jimmy Carter that mde it possible for the ayatollah to cain contol in Iran
Report Post »noprisoners
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 9:06amYou Can!
Report Post »Join IDF…I have a friend that left from USA for Israel last night to serve.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KLwVmlXvhs&feature=related
YepImaConservative
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 12:45pm>JLGUNNER. The Liberals and those “other” liberals (the Ron Paul faction) choose not to see the forest for the trees for sure. Dope has that effect on the mind… lol.
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