Arya News - Black smoke rose over Tehran as flames tore through a commercial market on Tuesday, the latest in a series of fires and explosions across Iran.
Credit: @FarsNews_Agency/ X
Black smoke rose over Tehran as flames tore through a commercial market on Tuesday, the latest in a series of fires and explosions across Iran .
The blaze at Jannat Bazaar began at 9.55am and consumed at least 200 shops across 2,000 sq m in the Jannat Abad neighbourhood, west Tehran.
The fire came just days after two deadly explosions rocked other Iranian cities.
The series of fires and blasts within 72 hours has fuelled speculation about whether foreign sabotage, domestic resistance, neglected infrastructure or simply coincidence is to blame.
A safety officer inspects the aftermath of the Jannat Abad market fire in Tehran - Majid Asgaripour/Wana via Reuters
On Saturday, a powerful blast struck Bandar Abbas, a strategic port city, killing one person and injuring 14 others, according to the Hormozgan province crisis management director.
The explosion ripped through a residential building, though initial reports and circulating videos prompted rumours about an attack on Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ’ naval sites in the area.
On the same day in Ahvaz, capital of oil-rich Khuzestan province, another explosion tore through a four-unit residential building, killing five people and injuring two others.
Multiple former and current Iranian officials told The Telegraph that such a concentrated series of fires and explosions was unusual for the country.
Iran, meanwhile, has historically blamed Israel and the United States for mysterious explosions and blazes, particularly those targeting nuclear and military sites.
But Israeli officials quickly denied involvement, and security experts expressed scepticism about foreign operations behind the incidents.
Smoke billows from the market fire which destroyed at least 200 shops in Tehran
The variety of sites – a residential building in a strategic port city, another residential complex in an oil-producing region, and a commercial market in the capital – means a coordinated military or intelligence operation is unlikely.
“I feel they are connected to the protests and their aim could be to distract authorities here, but I don’t see any reason why Americans and Israelis would set a market on fire,” an academic source in Tehran told The Telegraph.
A security source outside Iran suggested the incidents may be coincidental rather than coordinated acts of sabotage.
Nevertheless, the timing has amplified concerns within Iran’s security establishment at a moment when authorities are already managing domestic unrest and mounting international pressure.
The incidents come just weeks after a deadly government crackdown on protesters and amid escalating rhetoric between Tehran and Washington, which has seen Donald Trump, the US president, threaten to bomb Iran in support of demonstrators.
Mr Trump said last week: “A massive armada is heading to Iran . It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose. It is a larger fleet, headed by the great aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, than that sent to Venezuela.”
Iranian officials have offered varying theories for the blasts, but no definitive conclusions.
The lack of clear explanations for the recent series of events, combined with official silence beyond generic references to gas leaks and infrastructure problems, has contributed to public speculation.
The market fire is the latest in a series of mysterious destructive incidents in Iran - Majid Asgaripour/Wana via Reuters
The information vacuum has undermined confidence in government narratives at a time when the regime’s credibility is already strained following the January crackdown, which left thousands of people dead .
The uncertainty also shows broader anxieties within Iran as the country navigates a complex period of domestic tension and international isolation.
As investigations continue, authorities face pressure to provide answers.
Technical investigators are examining the cause of a fire at Jannat Abad market, with potential culprits facing legal action if found responsible, Tehran municipality’s spokesman said.
“The causes of the fire incident at Jannat market are under investigation and soon the Tehran fire department as the specialised authority, will announce the results of its investigations in this regard,” Abdolmotaher Mohammad Khani said.
Firefighters were out in force to control the market blaze - Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA/Shutterstock
Mr Mohammad Khani said the municipality would take action against anyone found responsible for the incident.
“If the municipality, based on the results of investigations, concludes that there were culprits or potential culprits who played a role in this incident, necessary action and measures will definitely be taken,” he said.
“Complete information will be provided to the dear people of the capital after expert measures,” the spokesman said.
The fire in Tehran came as Masoud Pezeshkian , the president, said that he had instructed Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the Islamic Republic’s foreign minister, to restart talks with Washington ahead of a summit on Friday.
Mr Pezeshkian said: “In light of requests from friendly governments in the region to respond to the proposal by the president of the United States for negotiations, I have instructed my minister of foreign affairs, provided that a suitable environment exists – one free from threats and unreasonable expectations – to pursue fair and equitable negotiations, guided by the principles of dignity, prudence and expediency.”
Mohammad Jafar Ghaempanah, the vice-president, said: “No war is good and not every peace means surrender.”
On Tuesday, Iran demanded that the talks be moved to Oman from Istanbul and be held in a bilateral format, Axios reported.
Iran’s judiciary, meanwhile, said it would pursue anyone who participated in demonstrations, signalling continued prosecutions weeks after a deadly crackdown on protests.
“The judiciary, on behalf of the nation, will not let go of those who played a role in this American sedition,” Asghar Jahangir told reporters at a press conference.
Mr Jahangir said anyone who had “direct involvement, assistance or participation” would face prosecution.
Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.