Blast reported in southern Iran

theist · February 16, 2005

Too good to be true? Probably. Maybe just a warning shot. One thing is for sure it must be taken out before they fire it up and get it running later this year.

(CNN) -- A large blast has been reported near the southern Iranian port city of Dailam, in the province where the country has a nuclear power plant, according to Iranian state television.

The television report initially quoted witnesses as saying Wednesday's explosion was the result of a missile fired from a plane seen overhead.

However, it later said the blast could have been a falling fuel tank from an Iranian aircraft.

Rescue teams have been sent to the area, the television said, without providing details on casualties.

Senior Israeli security sources told Reuters news agency that Israel's military was not involved in any blast in Iran.

"There was no Israeli military involvement in this," one Israeli source was quoted as saying.

Iran's Russian-built 1,000-megawatt nuclear reactor, its only nuclear power plant, is due to start operating in Bushehr province in late 2005.

Officials at the Russian Embassy in Tehran told CNN in a phone interview there had been no explosion at the nuclear plant.

Reports of a blast come as Iran's intelligence minister was quoted as saying the United States has been flying spy drones over Iran's nuclear sites.

"Most of the shining objects that our people see over Iran's airspace are American spying equipment used to spy on Iran's nuclear and military facilities," AP quoted Intelligence Minister Ali Yunesi as saying Wednesday

February 16, 2005

Iran Blast Report Shocks World Markets

14 minutes ago Top Stories - Reuters

By Christian Oliver

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iranian state television sent ripples through world financial markets on Wednesday after it reported a powerful explosion near the town of Dailam, about 100 miles from the oil state's only nuclear power plant.

Reuters Photo

The Al-Alam satellite channel, which broadcasts in Arabic, said the explosion may have been caused by an aircraft firing a missile in a deserted area near Dailam or by a fuel tank falling from a plane.

But Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the television reports were wrong, although they declined to give any further details or confirm whether there had been an explosion.

Later Iran's ISNA students news agency said the explosion was caused by dam construction.

Adding to the confusion, Iran's deputy interior minister said there had been a loud bang in southern Iran but there was no sign of any explosion.

The Al-Alam report moved financial markets, underscoring world jitters over growing tensions over U.S. charges that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons.

"A powerful explosion was heard this morning on the outskirts of Dailam port, north of Bushehr province in southern Iran. Witnesses said the explosion was caused by a missile fired from an unknown plane 150 km (90 miles) from the city of Bushehr, where Iran's nuclear reactor is located," Al-Alam said.

"A team of military and security experts was sent to the area to investigate the incident," it said without elaborating.

"A local source said the explosion could have been the result of the falling of an empty fuel tank from an Iranian plane," it added.

Despite the Revolutionary Guard denial, al-Alam continued to broadcast the report.

Iran's Russian-built 1,000-megawatt nuclear reactor, its only nuclear power plant, is due to start operating in Bushehr province in late 2005.

Tehran on Wednesday accused the United States of using satellites "and other tools" to spy on its nuclear sites, and U.S.-ally Israel said the Islamic republic was just six months away from having the knowledge to build an atomic bomb.

While Europe has pursued a policy of engagement with Iran, the United States and Israel have taken a more aggressive stance. Washington has said it favors diplomacy but does not rule out any option in stopping Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and Israel has hinted at possible military action.

Senior Israeli security sources denied any Israeli military involvement.

An Israeli air strike on the Iraqi reactor Osiraq in 1981 dealt a severe blow to Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s nuclear program.

U.S. stock market futures fell and crude oil prices jumped on the Al-Alam report.

"This explosion basically sent chills down the spines of futures traders," said Phil Flynn, senior market analyst at Alaron Trading Corp in Chicago.

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But it is only a matter of time before Israel takes Iran out. If Israel does not, then they will lose Tel Aviv to the crazy Islamofacists, who have vowed to nuke Israel.

theist · February 16, 2005

well I knew not to get my hopes up. Any real strike will be unmistakable I'm sure.

The Iranian govt. is also saying that an airplane dropped its fuel tank. Which is laughable when you think about it.

Well there is always tommorrow.

February 16, 2005

There was good news today from the Middle East:

Crowd kills suspected bomber

A CROWD of Shiite Muslims marking a religious ceremony spotted a suspected suicide bomber amongst them and, fearing he might blow himself up, beat the man to death, Iraqi police said today.

The incident occurred in the western Baghdad neighbourhood of Bayaa, a largely Shiite district, where residents were celebrating Ashura, a religious ritual honouring the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed. The police said the crowd spied a man mingling amongst them who appeared to be wearing a vest strapped with explosives, like those used in suicide bombings.

Advertisement: "They attacked him and beat the man to death," a police source said, adding that security forces had been powerless to prevent the mass onslaught. It was not clear if the man had actually been planning a suicide attack.

Iraqi security are on high alert for suicide attacks during Ashura following a series of bombings last year in which more than 170 people were killed in Baghdad and Kerbala, a holy city south of Baghdad where Ashura is most intensely celebrated.

All roads in and around Kerbala have been shut down for the festival, and Iraq's borders will be shut for five days from February 17 to prevent pilgrims flooding into the country from abroad. Last year Ashura attracted hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from Iran, Pakistan and further afield.

During Ashura, Shiites traditionally flail themselves with metal chains. At the climax of the festival, which falls on February 19 this year, some inflict cuts on their heads with long knives in a tradition that emulates the suffering of Hussein in 680 AD.

theist · February 16, 2005

They have been targeting the Shi'ites more and more and now that the vote has been cast I expect to see the Shi'ites getting really fed up with these lingering Baathists and otherds. We shall see how this mess plays out.