DUBAI (Reuters) – Iranian state media said on Monday that a “failed” drone strike was the cause of a massive explosion at a military installation in central Isfahan, Iran’s defense ministry said. reported.
“One of them (the drones) … was hit by air defenses, the other two fell into defensive traps and exploded. Fortunately, there were no fatalities in this failed attack. There was minor damage to the roof of the workshop,” the ministry said in a statement from state news agency IRNA.
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Iranian news outlets had previously reported on the blast, posting videos showing flashes inside the facility, said to be a munitions factory, and footage of emergency vehicles and fire trucks outside the facility. In July, Iran announced it had arrested a sabotage team made up of Kurdish militants working for Israel who were planning to blow up a “classified” defense industrial center in Isfahan.
The announcement comes amid growing tensions with arch-enemy Israel over Tehran’s nuclear program. Israel says Iran seeks to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran denies this.
“[The attack] has not affected our facilities or missions … and such blind measures will not affect the country’s continued progress,” the Pentagon said in a statement. says. In recent years, there have been a number of explosions and fires near Iranian military, nuclear and industrial installations.
The explosion has at times raised concerns amid tensions with Israel and the United States over Iran’s nuclear program.
