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Military complex in Parchin
Photo: Anonymous/ AP
One person died in an incident at an internationally disputed military facility in Iran.
An "accident" occurred in one of the Defense Ministry's "research units" at the facility in Parchin near Tehran on Wednesday evening (local time), the Iranian ministry announced on Thursday.
A senior member of the Revolutionary Guards was shot dead in Tehran just a few days ago.
According to the ministry, an “engineer” died in the incident at the military facility and another employee was injured.
The “cause of the accident” is being investigated, the ministry said.
The state news agency Irna had previously reported the incident in Parchin and wrote of an "industrial accident".
Iran has been suspected in the past of conducting military tests at Parchin, allegedly part of a nuclear weapons development program.
Tehran has denied this on several occasions.
After years of urging, the then head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Yukiya Amano, was allowed to inspect the plant in 2015.
In June, a gas tank exploded in the Parchin region.
No deaths were reported, but the detonation could be felt as far as Tehran, 30 kilometers away.
The Iranian nuclear program has been the target of acts of sabotage and cyber attacks for years.
Several important scientists involved were also murdered.
The Iranian government blames its nemesis Israel for this.
Israel has not ruled out using military means to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear bomb.
Tehran has always denied wanting to develop nuclear weapons with its nuclear program - but has declared that it is only pursuing peaceful goals.
Deadly Warning from Israel?
A report by the New York Times published on Wednesday that Israel claimed responsibility for the assassination of Colonel Sayyad Khodai, a senior member of the Revolutionary Guards, could create additional tension.
more on the subject
Death of a Revolutionary Guardsman in Iran: "We will definitely avenge the blood of this martyr"
According to the Revolutionary Guards, Khodai was killed in an armed attack by two motorcyclists on a street in Tehran on Sunday.
The Guards blamed the "terrorist" act on "elements linked to global arrogance" — a nod to the US and its allies, including Israel.
Israel has now "informed US officials that it was behind the assassination," the New York Times reported, citing a secret service official.
The act was a warning to Iran to stop operations by a covert group within the Al-Quds Brigades.
These are a unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards that is responsible for operations abroad.
According to a report by Iranian state radio, Khodai was a member of the Al-Quds Brigades.
dop/AFP