Fire near Tehran military sites raises security concerns in Iran

Wednesday 18 February 2026 - 18:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Fire near Tehran military sites raises security concerns in Iran

A fire broke out Wednesday in Parand, a city in Tehran province, prompting security concerns because of its proximity to military facilities, according to local media reports. The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States as nuclear negotiations continue in Geneva.

Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB said the blaze was caused by arsonists who allegedly set fire to dry reeds along a riverbank. Videos circulating on social media showed thick smoke rising over the area after residents reported hearing what they described as an explosion. Opposition outlet Iran International reported that the fire occurred near several military and strategic sites.

Separately, unconfirmed reports pointed to a possible explosion near Shiraz in southern Iran. Open source intelligence accounts shared audio recordings that they said suggested a detonation in a mountainous area that could be linked to missile storage facilities. Iranian state media did not report on the Shiraz incident, and no verified images or casualty reports have emerged.

Iranian authorities have not indicated that the Parand fire caused injuries. Fire department officials in Tehran said the blaze in the capital region was extinguished without casualties.

The latest events follow a series of fires and explosions reported across Iran in recent months. In early February, a fire at a military base in eastern Tehran was attributed by officials to an electrical short circuit in a carpentry workshop. Other incidents in cities including Bandar Abbas and Ahvaz have fueled speculation about possible sabotage, although authorities have publicly cited aging infrastructure or accidents in most cases.

The developments coincide with renewed diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Washington. Iran and the United States held a second round of nuclear talks in Geneva on Tuesday, with both sides reporting progress. US President Donald Trump has warned that military action remains an option if Iran does not agree to curb its nuclear program, while the United States has increased its military presence in the Middle East.