Screengrab. Via X.
Early on February 14, a massive explosion ruptured a gas pipeline near the city of Borujen in the southwestern Iranian province of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari.
The roughly 1,270-kilometer pipeline runs from Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari up north to cities on the Caspian Sea. It begins in Asaluyeh, a hub for Iran’s offshore South Pars gas field.
Saeed Aghli, the manager of Iran’s gas network control center, told Iranian state television that a “sabotage and terrorist” action caused explosions along several areas of the line.
Meanwhile, the semi-official Mehr news agency said authorities were still investigating the cause of the blast at the “high-pressure” pipeline, although no casualties were reported. Footage on social media showed a massive fire lighting up the night sky near Borujen.
Iran produces about a billion cubic meters of gas a day and has some of the largest proven reserves in the world, at about 30 trillion cubic meters, as well as a large network of pipelines that also export gas to Iraq and Turkey.
There are no known terrorist groups operating in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari. Due to this, the possibility of an Israeli involvement in the explosion is high.
Israel carried out attacks in Iran in the past, but predominantly targeted its nuclear program as well as missile and drone production facilities.
Tensions between Israel and Iran rose in recent months as a direct result of the war in the Gaza Strip. Iran is the main backer of Gaza’s largest armed faction, Hamas. It also supports Hezbollah which has been launching attacks against Israel from Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen who have been attacking Israel-affiliated ships in the Red Sea.
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