Suspected Blast Hits Area of Iran Missile Base

A suspected explosion rocked the area of the western Iranian city of Khorramabad earlier this week, with some unofficial and unverified reports saying it could have been a sabotage operation in a nearby underground missile base.

The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that around 10 p.m. on September 25, “strong shocks accompanied by a terrible sound caused tremors in parts of Khorramabad, causing panic and disrupting the peace of the people at night.”

Khorramabad residents were quoted as saying they heard a “terrible sound” and felt the ground shake near Imam Ali base, located some 35 kilometers from the city, which produces Shahab-3 ballistic missiles thought to be capable of hitting Israel.

Official reports said that no earthquake had been recorded in the area. The authorities said there had been no blast and that they were investigating the source of the disturbance.

Some observers said the incident could have been an operation by Israel’s Mossad spy agency using attack drones.

Israel, which considers the Islamic Republic its greatest threat, has repeatedly threatened to take military action to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iranian officials deny seeking such weapons and have vowed a harsh response to any Israeli aggression.