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MASSIVE EXPLOSION rocks gas storage facility near military & research site outside Tehran (VIDEOS) MASSIVE EXPLOSION rocks gas storage facility near military & research site outside Tehran (VIDEOS)
(about 7 hours later)
A major explosion outside Tehran has triggered speculation of an attack against an army base or a research site, but the Iranian military says it was an incident at a gas storage facility.A major explosion outside Tehran has triggered speculation of an attack against an army base or a research site, but the Iranian military says it was an incident at a gas storage facility.
The blast did not take place at a military site, but in the "public area" nearby, defense ministry spokesman Davoud Abdi told state TV late Thursday night, adding that the blaze was quickly brought under control and that there were no casualties. The blast did not take place at a military site. Rather, between 11pm and midnight local time, a gas tank exploded in the “public area” nearby, Defense Ministry spokesman Brigadier General Davoud Abdi told the media, adding that the blaze was quickly brought under control and there were no casualties. 
According to a number of reports in state and semi-official media citing both Abdi and the public relations manager of Tehran's emergency management, Mir Shahabuddin Ghavami no emergency services or ambulances were requested in the area following the blast.
According to reports, the incident occurred in a non-residential area.
For hours, details of the incident remained a mystery, fueling speculation and conspiracy theories, as Iranian TV reported only that the authorities were “investigating the bright light and loud sound” near Tehran.For hours, details of the incident remained a mystery, fueling speculation and conspiracy theories, as Iranian TV reported only that the authorities were “investigating the bright light and loud sound” near Tehran.
Rumors initially suggested the explosion took place at a power station in Sarkh Hasar, east of Tehran, and that similar explosions had taken place in Shiraz, in southern Iran, prompting further speculation of a cyber attack. Rumors initially suggested the explosion took place at a power station in Sarkh Hasar, east of Tehran, and that similar explosions had taken place in Shiraz, in southern Iran, prompting further speculation of a cyber attack. 
Others suggested an explosion at an ammunition depot in Paradis, citing Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) chatter on the messaging app Telegram.Others suggested an explosion at an ammunition depot in Paradis, citing Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) chatter on the messaging app Telegram.
New York Times journalist Farnaz Fassihi cited reports that the explosion occurred in Parchin, “a military base where Iran has conducted nuclear activity."New York Times journalist Farnaz Fassihi cited reports that the explosion occurred in Parchin, “a military base where Iran has conducted nuclear activity."
Another clip shows a fireball briefly turning the night sky red.Another clip shows a fireball briefly turning the night sky red.
A video shared by researcher Babak Taghvaee includes coordinates of a location in Paradis, where the explosion was filmed.A video shared by researcher Babak Taghvaee includes coordinates of a location in Paradis, where the explosion was filmed.
Others have said the blast was at Khojir, not Parchin, pointing to a missile production and testing facility there as the possible culprit.Others have said the blast was at Khojir, not Parchin, pointing to a missile production and testing facility there as the possible culprit.
The explosion was heard around 2am local time, just half an hour after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted about new US sanctions against Iran.The explosion was heard around 2am local time, just half an hour after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted about new US sanctions against Iran.
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