Massive blast reported at suspected Iranian nuke facility

[bananas]

Source: Times of Israel

Two reportedly killed in explosion at secretive Parchin site that shatters windows 12 kilometers away

Two people were killed in an explosion at a defense ministry plant east of Tehran for the production of explosives, Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported Monday.

The Defense Industries Organisation, quoted by IRNA, said the fire broke out at the plant on Sunday night but it gave no further details.

The BBC, citing a report from the semi-official Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA), reported on Monday that the incident happened in an “explosive materials production unit” at the site south-east of the capital Tehran.

According to ISNA the blast was so powerful it shattered windows up to 12 kilometers away and the glare from the explosion lit up the night sky.

<snip>

Read more: http://www.timesofisrael.com/massive-blast-reported-at-suspected-iranian-nuke-facility/

[bananas]

1. 'Deadly fire' at Iran military explosives facility

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/07/world/middleeast/two-in-tehran-are-missing-after-explosion-near-military-complex.html?_r=0

Two in Tehran Are Missing After Explosion Near Military Complex
By THOMAS ERDBRINK OCT. 6, 2014

TEHRAN — A mysterious explosion at or near an important military complex rocked the Iranian capital on Sunday, lighting up the skies over the city.

Iranian official sources denied the explosion had taken place at the complex, the expansive Parchin military site in the east of the city, where international monitors suspect Iran once tested triggers for potential nuclear weapons. But the enormous orange flash that illuminated Tehran around 11:15 p.m. local time clearly came from that direction, several witnesses said.

Officials at Iran’s Defense Industries Organization, though also denying that the explosion took place at Parchin, confirmed that two people were missing after “an ordinary fire” caused by “chemical reactions of flammable material” at an unspecified production unit, according to the semiofficial Iranian Student News Agency. There was no word on the location of the fire.

Witnesses in the east of Tehran said that windows had been shattered in the vicinity of the military complex, and that all trees in a hundred yard radius of two villages, Changi and Hammamak, were burned. The villages are right on the outskirts of the military site.

<snip>

[bananas]

2. 'Nuclear Expert' Among Dead in Iranian Nuclear Plant Explosion

http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/at-least-2-dead-in-iranian-nuclear-plant-explosion/2014/10/06/

'Nuclear Expert' Among Dead in Iranian Nuclear Plant Explosion
At least two people are dead and and unknown number wounded in Iran in a blast at the Parchin military nuclear site.
By: Hana Levi Julian
Published: October 6th, 2014

An unnamed nuclear expert is among the dead after a lethal explosion Sunday evening at or near the Parchin military compound near Tehran.

At least two people died in the blast, according to the Iranian Student News Agency (ISNA).

Quoting the Iranian Defense Industries Organization, ISNA reported, “Unfortunately, due to the incident two workers of this production unit lost their lives.” At least four military personnel were wounded while responding to the blast, according to a post by an opposition group quoted by the Washington Free Beacon.

The blast apparently followed a fire that allegedly started in a unit where explosive materials are produced at the nuclear facility, news reports said.

Reports from the site began filtering into media by Monday. The BBC quoted Saham news as saying the explosion was “so intense that windows of buildings nine miles away (15 kilometers) were shattered,” in a southeasterly direction. “The glare from the blast could also be seen from a great distance away.”

<snip>

[flamingdem]

3. Nutty will be

pleased.

[Cali_Democrat]

10. This looks like the work of Israel. nt

[davidpdx]

20. I would have though Obama would be blamed for it given he's such a warmonger

[Archae]

21. Yup, right away blame Israel.

Tell me, was the Mossad responsible for the fire and explosion at that fertilizer plant in Texas?
Obviously, no.

People make mistakes.

Smoke where they are not supposed to.

Electrical systems can short out.

Explosives can spontaneously catch fire, when dropped or if they get wet.

[Cali_Democrat]

22. I have no evidence it was Israel

But they have engaged in clandestine operations against Iran's nuclear program in the past.

We're they responsible? I have no idea.

But this does look like something they're capable of doing.

[bananas]

4. Midnight Explosion at Iran’s Alleged Nuclear Weapons Site; blew out windows for miles

https://medium.com/war-is-boring/midnight-explosion-at-irans-alleged-nuclear-weapons-site-1047e064df30

Midnight Explosion at Iran’s Alleged Nuclear Weapons Site
Parchin blast blew out windows for miles
Jassem Al Salami on Oct 6

Around midnight on Oct. 6, local sources in Tehran reported a massive explosion at the Parchin military complex in Iran. The explosion shattered windows in a 15-kilometer radius and created a huge bright flash in the night sky.

Any explosion at Parchin is a big deal. For the central reason that it’s a major site for Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons program. The state-run Fars News Agency confirmed the explosion in a short announcement. The agency stated the “fire” was the result of an incident at an explosive production facility and two employees had been killed.

Military police and security forces blocked access routes leading to the complex, and sirens from firefighting and medical emergency vehicles could be heard throughout the night.

To be sure, we don’t know if the explosion was an accident or a deliberate attack. Any going-ons at Parchin are also highly secretive. But it’s an odd time for an explosion. The blast occurred in the middle of the night at the end of the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice—an important holiday in Iran — when few employees would likely be there.

<snip>

[hedgehog]

25. If members of the night crew were awake all day celebrating, it makes it more

likely that they would make errors on shift.

[bananas]

5. White House monitoring Iran's Parchin military facility after deadly fire

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2014/10/06/White-House-monitoring-Irans-Parchin-military-facility-after-deadly-fire/4911412619618/

White House monitoring Iran's Parchin military facility after deadly fire
The White House acknowledged that it is "monitoring the situation closely" following a deadly fire at Iran's Parchin military complex.
By JC Finley Oct. 6, 2014 at 2:45 PM

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- A fire broke out in the vicinity of Iran's Parchin military complex and killed two workers in an explosive materials production unit.

The White House said Monday it is "monitoring the situation closely."

The U.S. is among a group involved in nuclear negotiations with Iran. There has been suspicion that the Parchin complex has been used to test explosives in support of Iran's nuclear weapons research. Iran has maintained the Parchin facility is used only for conventional weapons.

"We are aware of reports of an explosion at or near the Parchin military facility in Iran," said National Security Council spokesperson Bernadette Meehan. "We are also aware of reports that Iranian authorities have described the incident as a fire at an explosive materials production unit and that two workers have lost their lives."

[7962]

6. Wait, I thought it was just for peaceful energy use??

Surely this will be blamed on Israel

[BillZBubb]

13. Reread the article.

The explosion occurred in a complex that houses both conventional munitions manufacture and the Iranian nuclear activity. The two are unrelated aside from being located in the same secure area. It wasn't a nuclear explosion.

Israel would obviously be the number one suspect if the Iranians find evidence of sabotage. That hasn't happened yet.

[Psephos]

23. The complex houses munitions mfg AND "peaceful" nuclear...

What a brilliant example of efficient industrial design, a facility that manufactures military explosives and weapons, and also just happens to house some peace-luvvin' nuclear facilities. Because: efficiency.

[Behind the Aegis]

14. It already has been...three times in this thread alone.

It is nothing if not predictable. No proof needed.

[7962]

17. Well, those were AFTER my post, but you're right! SO predictable.

No way the Iranians could just be incompetent

[freshwest]

19. Because... Supernatural Powers!

Just in case...

[leftynyc]

24. Happened almost immediately

Like you said, some things are pretty predictable.

[arcane1]

7. Is it a nuclear site or an explosives site? Come on, media!

[homegirl]

8. I am sure

it was sabotage.

[EX500rider]

9. I would guess Mossad strikes again.

Don't really blame them, I wouldn't want a nuclear armed Iran as a neighbor either.

[BillZBubb]

11. But if Israel did it, that would almost guarantee Iran goes nuclear.

The Iranians will want to retaliate and that would be to them the best revenge.

[EX500rider]

12. I think Israel is sure they are trying to build nukes now and....

...just wants to throw sand in the gears and hope the UN sanctions eventually work.

[Cali_Democrat]

15. Shouldn't Iran feel threatened by Israel's nukes?

[EX500rider]

18. Not any more then they should fear:

Pakistan, India, China, France, UK, North Korea or the US

Israel is a democracy, not a theocratic Islamic state.

[BillZBubb]

16. If this is traced back to Israel, then they really screwed up.