TEHRAN -- Iranian air
defenses fired a missile as part of an exercise on Saturday over the central town of Natanz, which houses nuclear installations, national TV reported, after local residents reported hearing a large blast.
The IRIB said air defense units fired the missile to test a rapid reaction force over Natanz.
“Such exercises are carried out in a completely secure environment ... and there is no cause for concern,” Army spokesman Shahin Taqikhani told the TV.
Iranian news agencies earlier reported a large explosion in the sky above Natanz. The Fars news agency quoted its reporter in nearby Badroud as saying a short blast was heard which was accompanied by an intense light in the sky.
An unnamed source said the missile was fired in a safe zone 20 km from Natanz to test the facility’s air defenses.
“To evaluate the systems based in the region, such exercises are carried out in a completely secure environment and in full coordination with the integrated defense network,” the spokesman said.
Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment facility is almost entirely underground, protected by reinforced concrete covered with earth.
In April, Iran said the occupying regime of Israel had conducted a sabotage attack on the Natanz nuclear site and vowed revenge.
Zionist media outlets have quoted unnamed intelligence sources as saying the infamous Mossad spy service carried out a sabotage operation at the underground Natanz complex.
The occupying regime of Israel has long threatened military action against Iran.