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Nine People Injured After Chemical Plant Explosion in Iran

By Orkhan Jalilov May 25, 2021

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At least nine people were injured in a blast at a plant producing explosive materials in Iran’s central province of Isfahan, on the morning of May 23, 2021. / Financial Tribune

The blast took place in Shahin Shahr, 20 km north of the city of Isfahan at 03:26 local time on May 23. The injured were taken to the local Goldis Hospital for treatment, according to the spokesman of the local emergency services department, Abbas Abadi.

There have been no reports of any deaths so far, and the cause of the explosion is still being investigated.

The facility is owned by the Sepahan Nargostar Chemical Industries Group, the country's first producer of industrial and commercial explosives. The Group is known as the only authorized manufacturer and distributor of safe incendiary materials, such as fireworks.

According to the UK news agency the Guardian, the chemical complex played host to the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company, which produces a variety of aircraft and drones for Iranian and pro-Iranian forces.

The report suggested that the explosion was caused by Israel in retaliation for the dispatch of an Iranian drone into northern Israel, which was reportedly shot down by Israeli forces. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu subsequently showed a piece of the drone to German, Czech and Slovak officials in Tel Aviv.

Meanwhile, an informed source at the Iranian Defense Ministry denied reports of a fire at its facility in Isfahan, saying that the plant belonged to the private sector.

"The fire reported by the hostile media broke out in the premises of a private sector enterprise producing incendiary materials," Nour News affiliated to Iran's Supreme National Security Council reported on May 23.

On May 20, Israel and Hamas, a Palestinian militant organization that controls Gaza agreed to cease hostilities. A ceasefire deal was brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations between Israel and Hamas after 11 days of fighting.

About 250 Palestinians, including dozens of children, were killed during the hostilities. Israeli bombarded the besieged Palestinian territory, while more than 1,900 others were injured and scores of buildings and critical infrastructure were damaged or destroyed. In Israel, 12 people – including two children – were also killed in rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.