Large explosion lights up Tehran night sky, state media reports

A large, bright flash of light was seen in the night sky over Tehran early on Friday in images shared widely on social media, Iran’s Fars news agency reported.

“In the early hours after midnight on Friday, a number of social media users reported seeing an orange light in the eastern part of Tehran,” said Fars, which is close to the country’s ultra-conservatives.

“In the videos sent by [our] readers, this light is seen for a few seconds,” it reported, adding it was following up the issue with the relevant authorities.

The flash occurred near the Parchin military complex south of Tehran.

Fars said later that the flash was caused by “an industrial gas tank explosion” near a facility belonging to the defense ministry. It cited an “informed source” and said the site of the incident was not related to the military.

???? انفجار در شرق تهران/ یک مقام آگاه: تصاویری که از بامداد امروز در فضای مجازی با عنوان وقوع انفجار در #شرق_تهران منتشر شده مربوط به انفجار یک مخزن گاز صنعتی در حاشیه یکی از مراکز #وزارت_دفاع بوده است. این انفجار هیچ ارتباطی به تاسیسات نظامی واقع در این منطقه ندارد. pic.twitter.com/sxQnS2ALPo

— خبرگزاری فارس (@FarsNews_Agency) June 25, 2020

“At the entrance of the [nearby] Parchin military zone, there is no movement or traffic of fire and rescue vehicles,” Fars added.

Iran’s Mehr news agency had said a “terrible sound” was heard.

“The cause of this sound and light is not yet known, but it was clearly heard in Pardis, in Boumhen and surrounding areas” of the Iranian capital.

State television said various institutions were investigating the issue. Fars said police were involved in the investigation.

First video report of a massive explosion with red light around Tehran, heard by many residents. Reports of a military outpost around there. #Iran pic.twitter.com/lQT4CPFLUC

— Farnaz Fassihi (@farnazfassihi) June 25, 2020