Iran official says pipeline blast caused by ‘sabotage’

The blast, which sent balls of fire into the air outside the Shiite religious center of Qom, targeted three major gas pipelines. The explosion comes amid an increase in mysterious blasts, assassinations and other incidents in the Islamic Republic, including a similar blast Feb. 11 that temporarily halted north-south gas transportation in the country. All pipelines are now back in operation, officials say.

Parviz Sorouri, a member of the National Security Commission, called for increased protection of Iran’s oil and gas pipelines. He also announced a meeting of key ministries to safeguard the Islamic Republic’s energy transportation systems.

“Terrorist groups have sabotaged gas transfer pipelines in Qom province in order to create insecurity in the energy transfer path of the country,” Sorouri told the semi-official Mehr news agency. He did not provide further details about who may have been responsible for Friday’s explosion.

The blast, which sent balls of fire into the air outside the Shiite religious center of Qom, targeted three major gas pipelines. The explosion comes amid an increase in mysterious blasts, assassinations and other incidents in the Islamic Republic, including a similar blast Feb. 11 that temporarily halted north-south gas transportation in the country. All pipelines are now back in operation, officials say.

Parviz Sorouri, a member of the National Security Commission, called for increased protection of Iran’s oil and gas pipelines. He also announced a meeting of key ministries to safeguard the Islamic Republic’s energy transportation systems.

“Terrorist groups have sabotaged gas transfer pipelines in Qom province in order to create insecurity in the energy transfer path of the country,” Sorouri told the semi-official Mehr news agency. He did not provide further details about who may have been responsible for Friday’s explosion. Continued…