War of Iron Swords: In a recent development this Wednesday, Iran has pointed fingers at Israel, attributing the responsibility of the gas pipeline explosions that transpired last week to the latter. The epicenters of these explosions were reportedly the central gas pipelines situated in the cities of Spashar and Rojin, falling within the provinces of Fars and Chaharmahal-Bahtiari respectively. The aftermath of these explosions was far-reaching, causing disruptions in several provinces within Iran.
For context, it is worth noting that the New York Times published an article over the weekend, claiming that Israel was the driving force behind the explosions that rocked two of Iran’s central gas pipelines. The repercussions included disruptions in the supply of heat and cooking gas to districts that are home to millions of individuals. Concurrently, a fire broke out at a chemical solvents production company located on the Chitgar-Shahriar road, specifically within the mining area in the city of Shahrak Quds, which is to the west of Tehran.
Reports suggest that these attacks mark a significant shift and escalation in the covert war that has been raging between Israel and Iran for years. The battlefronts of this shadow war extend to air, land, sea, and even cyberspace. The complexity and precision of the recent attacks indicate a deep understanding of Iran’s infrastructure and meticulous coordination, as the pipelines were damaged at multiple locations simultaneously.
Moreover, back in January, amidst the escalating tension with the Houthis and the attack on the merchantmen in the Red Sea, an unexplained explosion was reported at Iran’s Revolutionary Guards’ naval base. As per the report, this explosion resulted in damage to 16 ships, all of which were transporting military personnel destined for the Houthis in Yemen.
