Mysterious fire at Iran's Defense Ministry site north of Tehran

Adam Lucente

Sep 28, 2023

Rescue teams attend to the scene of devastation after an Iranian military plane crashed into a residential building in a heavily built-up suburb on December 6, 2005 in Tehran, Iran. A huge explosion was reported as the plane, carrying 94 people, crashed into a 10-storey block killing all on board. Many deaths are also feared on the ground after the C-130 plane encountered a technical problem shortly after take-off from Mehrabad airport. (Photo by Hossein/Getty Images) — Rescue teams attend to the scene of devastation after an Iranian military plane crashed into a residential building in a heavily built-up suburb on December 6, 2005 in Tehran, Iran. — Hossein/Getty Images

A fire broke out at an Iranian defense site near Tehran on Thursday, constituting the latest in a series of mysterious incidents in the country amid tensions with the United States and Israel.

The fire occurred north of the capital, Tehran, at a car battery factory owned by Iran’s Defense Ministry. There were no injuries, The Associated Press reported, citing Iranian state television.

Images circulated on Twitter, showing significant black smoke billowing from the purported site. Iranian outlets confirmed the incident but did not provide details on the cause of the fire.

#BREAKING: Fire or explosion in Tehran. Video coming in below. This is third such incident in days, especially in MODAFL facilities in #Iran. pic.twitter.com/hACqDArlFK
— Jason Brodsky (@JasonMBrodsky) September 28, 2023