WANA ( Jul 21) – In the days following the announcement of a ceasefire between Iran and the Israeli regime, a series of explosions and sightings of smoke in various parts of the country have triggered a wave of speculation and reactions across media platforms, social networks, and some opposition outlets.

 

These media and activists attributed some of these incidents to acts of sabotage or drone attacks by Israel, interpreting them as signs of continued aggression and a violation of the ceasefire.

 

In contrast, official institutions in Iran—including provincial governorates, the public relations offices of security bodies, and the fire department—have stated that the majority of these explosions were caused by domestic gas leaks, military drills, controlled detonations of military ordnance, and urban accidents, firmly rejecting any claims of sabotage or hostile attacks.

 

Official Statistics: Over 90% of Explosions Caused by Internal Factors

Alireza Shokouhian, Director of HSE and Passive Defense at the National Iranian Gas Company, issued the first official response from this institution, stating that there is no evidence of sabotage or terrorist activity in any of the incidents.

 

He reported that in the year 2024, a total of 2,196 gas-related incidents were recorded in the country, nearly 90% of which were explosions or fires in residential homes. This amounts to an average of six gas incidents per day.

 

Shokouhian emphasized: “72% of all gas-related incidents are due to gas leaks. This data clearly shows that the main causes of these explosions are not external or sabotage-related, but entirely internal, technical, and preventable.”

 

Tehran Fire Department Chief Ghodratollah Mohammadi also dismissed any link between these incidents and security or sabotage issues. He stated that, so far, not a single gas explosion in Tehran or other cities has been reported as sabotage-related or linked to warfare.

 

According to Mohammadi, on average, under normal conditions, about 350 safety and emergency incidents are logged daily in Tehran’s system, around 150 of which are fire-related, and due to the frequency and volume of such incidents, many may go unnoticed by the public or fail to generate significant concern in society.

Army air defence fire is seen following the Israeli strike in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

A Review of Some Explosions Since the Ceasefire

July 14: An explosion occurred on the first floor of a building in Pardisan, Qom Province. According to the governor of Qom, it was caused by an accumulation of natural gas and resulted in 7 injuries.

 

July 13: Sounds of explosions were heard in Isfahan Province. The Public Relations Office of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army announced that the source was pre-planned military exercises.

 

July 12: Rumors about an explosion at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport were circulating on social media. The Public Relations Office of Mehrabad International Airport denied the rumors, stating: “The column of smoke seen is unrelated to Mehrabad Airport, and the location in question is outside the airport’s perimeter. Currently, no incident has occurred at Mehrabad Airport, and all flight operations are proceeding as scheduled.”

 

July 10: An explosion occurred on the 15th floor of Pamchal Tower in Chitgar (a neighborhood in Tehran). The cause was announced as a gas explosion. The blast destroyed the walls and ceilings of the unit and also damaged the adjacent unit. According to the spokesperson of the Tehran Municipality Fire Department, there was no fire, and the explosion was contained.

 

July 8: An explosion occurred near the city of Malard in Tehran Province. The Malard governorate had earlier announced in a statement that the explosion was controlled and carried out as part of the disposal of munitions left from attacks by the Israeli regime and the clearing of locations.

 

In all these cases, the country’s official authorities have clearly stated the causes of the incidents, and in none of them has any claim of foreign sabotage or military attack been confirmed.

 

The Iranian Embassy in Lebanon has also described the rumors of insecurity in Iran as part of a psychological warfare campaign by the Israeli regime, stating that the Israeli regime does not dare to carry out any act of aggression against Iranian territory, as Iran is determined to respond decisively to any such act.

 

Post-War Psychological Atmosphere: A Breeding Ground for Conspiracy Theories

One of the natural phenomena in the aftermath of war or crisis is the emergence of fear and widespread psychological sensitivity to sounds, smoke, explosions, and urban incidents. A similar case was observed after past earthquakes in Tehran, when people reacted to every tremor for weeks and remained on high alert.

 

In a situation where, during twelve days of war in Iran, people were exposed to the sounds of air defenses, smoke, explosions, and warnings, the formation of a mental space filled with fear and doubt is entirely natural. However, this same psychological atmosphere can become fertile ground for the enemy’s psychological warfare.

Smoke rises following an Israeli attack in Tehran, Iran, June 18, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

What is the enemy media’s objective?

Analyses and existing evidence show that certain media outlets, deliberately and systematically, try to promote narratives of sabotage, foreign attacks, and security failures with every explosion or sighting of smoke in the country. The goals of this approach include:

  • Frightening the public about the possibility of renewed attacks
  • Implying the system’s inefficiency in ensuring security
  • Intensifying public distrust and psychological disturbance
  • Undermining the country’s intelligence and security cohesion

 

Among the main objectives, one can even mention provoking people into street riots aimed at regime change—something that Israeli and even American officials have explicitly referred to. Should such unrest occur, it would give internal infiltrators of the enemy the opportunity to carry out acts of sabotage.

 

It must also be emphasized that no official ceasefire agreement has been signed between Iran and Israel. This fact itself offers an important hint toward understanding the overall situation: that the Islamic Republic of Iran remains in a state of high readiness, particular sensitivity, and alertness in the current conditions.

 

Is Sabotage a Possibility?

The possibility that, in a limited number of cases, certain incidents may have occurred with deliberate and sabotage-related intent cannot be entirely ruled out. It is even conceivable that in specific instances, sabotage groups may have rented a property and then abandoned it after deliberately causing a gas leak and a planned explosion — both to conceal their activities and to amplify public fear.

 

However, up to this moment, no credible evidence or documentation has been presented to confirm the occurrence of such operations in the recent explosions.

 

Moreover, in the event of any major incident or threat to national security — as witnessed during the recent 12-day war — Iran’s intelligence and security agencies have consistently provided the public with transparent updates and have even sought citizens’ assistance in identifying infiltrators.

 

Media Literacy: The Key to Society’s Mental Well-being

Today’s war is not limited to the military battlefield. The enemy seeks to infiltrate minds, disrupt psychological peace, and destroy public trust.

In such circumstances:

  • It is essential to rely on official statistics, expert analysis, and field investigations.
  • Narratives lacking credible backing on social media should be approached with skepticism and care.
  • One must avoid falling into the trap of the enemy’s deliberate media provocations.

 

To preserve the mental health of society, individuals must be realistic, informed, and reliant on trustworthy sources—so they do not, unintentionally, become instruments of the enemy’s hybrid warfare.

A building stands damaged in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 14, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)