A 5.1-magnitude earthquake has struck Iran alarmingly close to the country’s Fordow nuclear enrichment facility in Qom Province, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey.
The quake occurred at a depth of 10km (6.2 miles) and was recorded at approximately 9:19 p. m.
local time, with tremors felt as far away as Tehran, the nation’s capital.
Semnan, pinpointed as the epicentre, lies roughly 145 miles east of Tehran. The impact of the quake was deemed light, with no immediate reports of damage.
Speculation is rife on social media, with an Iranian blogger’s public Telegram board suggesting that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) might be “testing” something, although these claims remain unconfirmed, reports the Mirror US.
Iranian media outlets have not mentioned any tests but did report the earthquake, some citing a slightly higher magnitude of 5.2, and others even claiming a 5.5-magnitude tremor.
Despite the lack of reported damage, Iranian news sources confirmed that the quake’s vibrations reached Tehran. It is crucial to remember that Iran sits atop several fault lines.
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The incident coincided with an Israeli missile strike in the southwest of the country, as reported by local and regional media outlets. According to ynetnews.com, an Israeli news site, the strikes targeted an Iranian air defence facility known as Magar in the southwestern province of Behmai.
Details about the attacks were limited, but they may have been the same strikes that destroyed three surface-to-surface missile launchers, which the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed were being prepared to launch a barrage of missiles towards Israel.
The IDF announced on their official English X page that the missiles had been “dismantled”, accompanied by a video featuring communications from the strikes. The IDF also claimed to have eliminated a “cell” of Iranian commanders and soldiers in a tweet.
“Additionally, a Remotely Piloted Aircraft identified a group of Iranian soldiers, including an IRGC base commander in western Iran responsible for 15 missile launchers, en route to carry out a launch. The cell was eliminated,” the IDF stated.