Security Officials: The Explosive Package in Najafabad Was Not Related to Security Issues

Following the neutralization of a sound bomb in Najafabad, Isfahan, explanations regarding related rumors were published. According to the official news agency IRNA, Hassan Rahimi, the prosecutor of Isfahan, emphasized on Tuesday, September 18, that the identification of the individual or individuals involved in this matter has begun with the examination of cameras present in the area and is ongoing. He added, "This bomb was placed under the personal vehicle of one of the residents in that area, and according to reports, personal revenge is suspected in this matter." According to the prosecutor of Isfahan, the discovered bomb was sound-based and had no destructive effects or power. On Tuesday morning, with the publication of the first news regarding this bomb, due to its proximity to the home of Mohsen Hojjati (an Iranian force involved in the Syrian war who was killed by ISIS), the possibility arose that one or more individuals intended to take action against his family. However, the prosecutor of Isfahan confirmed the bomb's proximity to Mohsen Hojjati's house but added, "The discovery of the suspicious package in Najafabad has no connection to the home of martyr Hojjati." The Quds Force's information channel also described the connection of this issue to Mohsen Hojjati's home as "merely a false narrative by some media outlets." This source quoted the director general of security at the Ministry of Interior, adding, "The suspicious package discovered last night in Najafabad was not necessarily explosive-terroristic, and its nature is under investigation by the police." The ISNA news agency also reported that the time of the discovery of the explosive package was 10:30 PM on Sunday night, adding, "Following public reports of a suspicious vehicle stopping in one of the neighborhoods of Najafabad, the operational forces of the police acted immediately and, after controlling the area and identifying the position of the passenger vehicle, noticed the installation of a suspicious package equipped with a flashing light." ISNA further states, "Following this identification, the 8th Armored Division of Najaf Ashraf also joined the operational groups. The checking and neutralization group of this division, at 11:30 PM, after initial examinations and using specialized equipment; after creating a safe space to neutralize it, transferred this explosive package to an open area outside the city and detonated it at 12:15 AM." Following the June 7 attacks by ISIS on the parliament and the tomb of Ayatollah Khomeini, which resulted in 17 deaths and over 50 injuries, the sensitivity level regarding the possibility of similar incidents in the country has increased. After the June 7 attacks, Iranian security and judicial officials announced that dozens of individuals had been arrested in the provinces of Alborz, West Azerbaijan, Fars, Kermanshah, and Kurdistan. Ahmadreza Pourdastan, deputy commander of the Iranian army, announced on Wednesday, July 28, the readiness of Iran's armed forces to deal with potential actions by ISIS.