Defense Firm Denies Explosion Anything “Irregular”

An Israeli defense contractor has denied that a large explosion at its facilities in central Israel was the result of sabotage or an accident.

The state-owned Tomer defense firm, which manufactures rocket propulsion systems, said that “this was a controlled test, without any irregular incidents.”

The explosion blast sent up a massive plume of fire and smoke outside the nearby town of Ramle, which could be seen from miles away, according to The Times of Israel.

Video footage circulated on social media, and in the Iranian media, where it was suggested that the blast might have been a reprisal by Tehran for the recent blast at its Natanz nuclear facility that it blamed on Israel. They said the explosion took place at a “sensitive Israeli missile factory.”

The incident was not commented on by the Defense Ministry.