The explosion that rocked the Iranian nuclear site in Parchin was caused by an international act of sabotage, reported the Kuwaiti A-Rai newspaper.
The report, quoting anonymous Washington-based European diplomats, claimed Western intelligence agencies believe that the Islamic Republic was conducting missile tests at the nuclear site.
The tests were reportedly carried out with the aim of loading nuclear warheads onto ballistic missiles.
The sabotage on Monday, the report stated, prompted Iran to order Hezbollah to order an attack on IDF troops on patrol along the Israel-Lebanon border. The ordered attack was carried out the next day at Har Dov and injured two soldiers.
There has been no independent confirmation of A-Rai’s report.
The blast, which caused windows to explode 15 kilometers away, is said to have killed two people and damaged 12 buildings around the site, Channel 2 reported on Thursday.
Satellite imagery taken after the blast show where tests occurred to trigger the detonation of nuclear devices, Ronen Solomon told Channel 2.
Israel Defense released images of Parchin before and after Monday’s blast. The photos show extensive damage to the nuclear site and one building seems to have completely disappeared.
The photos “clearly show damage consistent with an attack against bunkers in a central localitiy within the military research complex at the Parchin military compound,” Israel Defense wrote.
The explosion in Parchin occurred as the P5+1 and Iran are holding talks aimed at a permanent nuclear agreement by November 24.
Tehran had denied IAEA inspector’s access to Parchin since 2005.
