DUBAI (Reuters) – Iranian state media reported on Sunday, citing the defense ministry, that a powerful explosion at a military factory in the central Iranian city of Isfahan was caused by a “failed” drone attack.
“One of (the two planes) was hit by the air defense and the other two fell into defensive traps and exploded. Fortunately, this failed attack caused no loss of life and minor damage to the roof of the workshop,” the ministry said in a statement carried by the official IRNA news agency.
Iranian news agencies had earlier reported the powerful explosion and broadcast a video showing a flash of light in the factory, which was said to be an ammunitions factory, and footage of emergency vehicles and fire engines outside the factory.
In July, Iran said it had arrested a sabotage team made up of Kurdish activists working for Israel who were planning to blow up a “sensitive” defense industry center in Isfahan.
The announcement came amid rising tensions with arch-enemy Israel over Tehran’s nuclear programme. Israel says Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran denies this.
“(The attack) did not affect our facilities and our mission… Such blind measures will not have an impact on the country’s continued progress,” the Defense Ministry statement said.
There have been a number of explosions and fires around Iran’s military, nuclear and industrial facilities in the past few years.
The explosions have sometimes raised concerns amid tensions over Iran’s nuclear program with Israel and the United States.
Israel has long threatened military action against Iran if indirect talks between Washington and Tehran fail to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal.
Reporting from the Dubai Newsroom. Editing by Daniel Wallis and Cynthia Osterman
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