In Iran, explosions in sensitive sites follow one another and intrigue

Accidents or sabotage? Since the end of June, a series of explosions, followed by sometimes monumental fires, has struck sensitive infrastructure in Iran. Strategic industrial, nuclear, military and even civilian installations have been affected.

Last incident to date, an explosion resounded this Sunday, without causing any casualties, in a power plant in the province of Isfahan in central Iran. There were no casualties. An accident caused by defective equipment, immediately underlined the official IRNA agency.

Each new fire or explosion is officially presented as an accident. But the specialists wonder about this conjunction of facts, without being able to decide between the thesis of the accident or the intentional act.

And many Iranians see it rather as the result of covert actions by Israel. The sworn enemy of Tehran notably accuses the Islamic Republic of seeking to acquire the atomic bomb, which Iran denies. Back on these claims.

Explosion in Tehran near an important military site. During the night of June 25 to 26, a gas tank exploded in the Parchin sector, near a military site in Tehran which notably manufactures ballistic missiles, without causing any casualties. An investigation is opened to determine the cause.

First video report of a massive explosion with red light around Tehran, heard by many residents. Reports of a military outpost around there. #Iran pic.twitter.com/lQT4CPFLUC

Explosion in a Tehran clinic. On June 30, a powerful explosion killed 19 people in a Tehran clinic. General Hossein Rahimi, chief of the Tehran police, denies any act of "sabotage".

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Explosion at Natanz. On July 2, a powerful explosion sounded in the Natanz nuclear complex, about 250 kilometers south of the capital. A site where advanced centrifuges, used for the production of enriched uranium, are assembled and tested. The considerable damage is visible from space. They are likely to slow down the nuclear activities of the Islamic Republic.

بام تهران بودم یهو با این منظره روبرو شدم. همه ترسیدیم. یه آتیش نسبتا بزرگ بود که تا فیلم کرفته شد فروکش کرد. احتمال انفجار زیاده! # شرق_تهران # انفجار pic.twitter.com/0CKN291wUI

The authorities first evoke an "accident". Before saying that they would not reveal the causes for the moment for "security reasons". Three days after the incident, an intelligence official in the Middle East assured the New York Times, on condition of anonymity, that the Hebrew state was responsible for this "bomb" attack.

Charges denied the same day by Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz. "Anyone can suspect us of everything, all the time, but I don't think it's fair. We are not necessarily tied to everything that is going on in Iran, ”he said. However, adding, "Iran wants nuclear [weapon], we can't let it get there." "

Explosion at Ahvaz power station. Another explosion followed by a fire on July 4, this time hitting the Ahvaz power plant in southwest Iran. A fire ensued in a transformer in the power plant, causing a power outage. There are no casualties. According to a journalist, the explosion could be explained by a heat peak in the region, where the temperature reached 47 ° C in the afternoon.

عاجل | الآن: انفجار هائل في محطة الزرقان للطاقة الكهربائية بمدينة الأحواز الآن. pic.twitter.com/MTARygA1rs

Leak of chlorine gas at the petrochemical complex of the port of Bandar-e Emam Khomeyni. On the same day, a leak of chlorine gas was reported at the petrochemical complex at the port of Bandar-e Emam Khomeyni, in the Persian Gulf, according to the official agency Shana. Some local employees were slightly injured after being exposed to the gas, said the plant manager.

Explosion in a factory south of Tehran. This new explosion killed two people on July 7. Before dawn, it struck the Oxijen factory in Baqerchahr, about twenty kilometers south of Tehran.

The prefect of the city, Amin Babaï, quoted by IRNA, affirms that the explosion is due to "the negligence of the workers during the filling of oxygen cylinders". "The explosion was so powerful that the walls of the nearby Saipapress [auto parts] plant were also destroyed," added the prefect, suggesting that extensive damage had been recorded to the building. factory itself.

Monster fire at a shipyard. Wednesday, July 15, a large fire broke out at a shipyard in the port of Bouchehr (southwest), damaging seven boats under construction, without causing any casualties. The province of Bouchehr is home to the eponymous nuclear power plant, the only one in the country to date, which produces 1,000 megawatts of electricity. The power station is located about twenty kilometers from the city. The origin of the incident has not been disclosed.