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Iran says it thwarted drone strike on military site

29 January, 2023

A loud explosion at a military plant in Iran's central city of Isfahan was caused by an unsuccessful drone attack, Iranian state media reported on Sunday.

“One of [the drones] was hit by the … air defence and the other two were caught in defence traps and blew up. Fortunately, this unsuccessful attack did not cause any loss of life and caused minor damage to the workshop's roof,” Iran's Defence Ministry said in a statement carried by state news agency Irna.

Iranian news agencies earlier reported the loud blast and carried a video showing a flash of light at the plant, said to be an ammunitions factory, and footage of emergency vehicles and fire vehicles outside the plant.

In July, Iran said it had arrested a sabotage team made up of Kurdish militants working for Israel who planned to blow up a “sensitive” defence industry centre in Isfahan.

The announcement came amid heightening tensions with Israel over Tehran's nuclear programme. Israel says Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran denies this.

“[The attack] has not affected our installations and mission … and such blind measures will not have an impact on the continuation of the country's progress,” the ministry said.

There have been a number of explosions and fires around Iranian military, nuclear and industrial facilities in recent years.

The blasts have at times caused concern amid tensions over Iran's nuclear programme with Israel and the US.

Israel has long threatened military action against Iran if indirect talks between Washington and Tehran fail to salvage a 2015 nuclear pact.