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The explosion reportedly occurred on a north-south gas pipeline, cutting off gas supplies to industries and offices.
Iranian officials have blamed “terrorism and sabotage” for two explosions at gas pipelines overnight.
There are few details about the explosion, but state media reported on Wednesday that it occurred on the main gas route from Chahal Mahal in central Iran and Bakhtiari province in the north to major gas fields in the Caspian Sea. Another explosion was reported in the southern province of Fars.
The explosion came amid heightened tensions as Israel’s war in Gaza threatens to spread throughout the region. The Iranian government has not identified any suspects, but has linked other similar incidents to Israel over the years.
“This act of terrorist sabotage occurred at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday (9:30 p.m. Japan time) on the state-run gas transmission pipeline network in two regions of the country,” Petroleum Minister Javad Owji told state television.
The first pipeline will start in Asaluyeh, home to Iran’s South Pars offshore gas field, and run 1,270 kilometers (790 miles) to Chahalmahal and Bakhtiari provinces.
Authorities denied reports that gas supplies to industries and offices were cut off as a result of the incident.
“We hope that the pipeline will be repaired and operational as soon as possible,” Saeed Aghiri, manager of Iran’s gas network management center, told Iranian state television.
the usual suspects
In the past, Arab separatists in southwestern Iran have claimed attacks on oil pipelines. However, attacks on such infrastructure are rare in other regions.
However, tensions have risen in recent years as Iran’s economy has been hampered by international sanctions over its nuclear program. Tehran has also faced rare large-scale civil unrest, most recently in 2022 over the death of Mahsa Amini for failing to comply with hijab rules.
But Iran has generally accused Israeli agents of similar acts of sabotage in the past.
Israel has been conducting attacks against Iran, primarily targeting Iran’s nuclear program.
Relations between the two countries deteriorated due to the Gaza War. Iranian-linked groups, including Yemen’s Houthis and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, have launched attacks on Israel and Red Sea vessels, claiming they are defending Palestinians.
On Tuesday, the head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog warned that Iran is “not fully transparent” about its nuclear program.
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