Smoke rose over the city of Parand, in Tehran province, Iran, on Wednesday following an explosion, according to a video sent to Iran International by a local resident. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, and as the US military has reportedly moved over 50 fighter jets to the Middle East.
Iran International reported that the sound of an explosion was heard in Parand, and footage circulating online shows a plume of smoke rising above the area. The Parand fire department stated that the smoke was the result of a fire in reeds along the Parand river bank, and that firefighters were working to extinguish the blaze.
The incident comes as indirect talks between the US and Iran over Iran’s nuclear program concluded in Geneva. Simultaneously, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei challenged US President Donald Trump, stating, “You, too, will not be able to do this,” in reference to Trump’s previous remarks about pressuring Iran.
The location of the fire is reportedly near several key military and strategic sites in Tehran province, according to state media and reports from The Daily Jagran. Satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters indicates that Iran has been undertaking repairs and fortifications at several nuclear and military sites that were targeted in last year’s conflict with Israel and the United States. Specifically, imagery shows a concrete structure being built over a newly constructed facility at the Parchin military complex, southeast of Tehran, and then covered with soil.
Adding to the regional complexities, Australia has granted permanent residency to Hanieh Safavi, the daughter of Yahya Rahim Safavi, a sanctioned advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and a former senior figure in the Revolutionary Guards. This decision has drawn criticism from members of the Iranian diaspora and opposition lawmakers in Australia, who have raised concerns about granting residency to the daughter of a senior IRGC commander. The Australian government has maintained that all visa applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Reports also indicate an explosion in a mountainous area on the outskirts of Shiraz, though authorities have not yet clarified the cause of that incident. The US and Israel are reportedly preparing for a potential military operation against Iran, which could begin “very soon,” according to sources cited by Axios. This potential operation is described as being larger in scope than last year’s conflict and could last for weeks.
