Iran's Oil Minister Claims Gas Pipeline Attacks Were Conducted by Israel

On Wednesday, February 21, the Oil Minister of the Islamic Republic claimed that the explosions last week in intercity gas pipelines in southern Iran were carried out by Israel. According to the Tasnim news agency, close to the security institutions of the Islamic Republic, Javad Owji stated on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting that "the enemy intended to challenge the domestic gas supply for the people." This senior official in Ebrahim Raisi's government added that the actions of the "enemy" were neutralized without any incidents occurring in cities and villages, and that "the gas pipelines were quickly repaired." Typically, the leader and officials of the Islamic Republic use the term 'enemy' to describe Israel and the United States. On the morning of February 14, explosions occurred in gas transmission pipelines in areas of the three provinces of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Fars, and Isfahan, at which time the Oil Minister stated: "We knew in advance and were prepared." Shortly after the explosions, despite government officials labeling it a "sabotage act," some social media users attributed it to "chaos and rebellion," while others considered these explosions to be a "result of Ali Khamenei's failed strategy." Meanwhile, the American newspaper "The New York Times" reported on February 16, citing two Western officials and a military strategist affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, that the recent explosions in Iran's gas pipelines "are related to Israel." Officials from this country have not yet responded to this report. Images of the fire following the explosion in gas pipelines in Boroujen. The New York Times, citing Western officials: The explosions in Iran's gas pipelines were caused by Israel. Reactions to the explosions in Iran; users: It is Khamenei's "failed strategy."