Amid US military buildup in the Middle East and tensions with Washington, a massive fire broke out in Parand, near Iran’s capital Tehran. According to reports, the spot where the fire broke out housed a key military and strategic site in the Tehran province.
Videos and images surfaced on social media showed thick black smoke billowing into the sky, triggering panic among residents.
According to the Iranian state media, the fire broke out in the reeds around the Parand riverbank and firefighters were at the spot dousing the flames.
“The black smoke seen near the city of Parand is the result of a fire in the reeds around the Parand riverbank… firefighters are on site and the fire extinguishing operation is underway”, Parand fire department said according to local media.
The fire raised concerns and speculation amid the ongoing tensions between Iran and the US. The incident also comes against the backdrop of American military buildup near Iran.
The US has deployed aircraft carriers and fighter jets in the Middle East that US President Donald Trump has said could launch strikes on Iran if the country did not agree to the nuclear deal.
Earlier on Tuesday, Iran and the US held another round of nuclear deal talks in Geneva, Switzerland. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that an understanding had been reached with the US on “the main principles”, but added key issues remain unresolved.
US Vice President JD Vance said that while Washington wants to give a shot at diplomacy, President Trump has “all options on the table” to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
With tensions with the US simmering, Iran is believed to have fortified its sensitive military sites. According to a Reuters report, satellite images show that Iran has recently built a concrete shield over a new facility at a sensitive military site and covered it in soil. The site was reportedly bombed by Israel in 2024.