14 IRGC members were killed in an explosion caused by unexploded ordnance. (Representative image)

14 IRGC personnel killed in blast while clearing war remnants in Iran

According to the IRGC, its teams have identified and neutralized more than 15,000 unexploded ordnance across affected areas since the conflict.

by · India Today

In Short

  • The blast happened during a demolition sweep in a contaminated area
  • Two IRGC personnel were injured while teams were neutralising leftover munitions
  • Officials said an unknown munition likely triggered the deadly explosion

Fourteen members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were killed and two others wounded in an explosion caused by unexploded ordnance in the country’s northwestern Zanjan Province, Iranian media reported.

The blast occurred on Friday as IRGC demolition teams were conducting a clearance operation in a contaminated area near the city of Zanjan, according to statements carried by state news agency IRNA. The teams had entered the site to identify and neutralize munitions left behind from recent airstrikes when the explosion happened.

A statement from the IRGC’s Ansar al-Mahdi unit in Zanjan said the blast was triggered by an unknown munition. The report noted that those killed were among the force’s most experienced and specialised personnel. The ammunition in the area was believed to include cluster bombs and air-dropped mines used during the conflict.

The incident marks the largest reported loss of IRGC personnel since a ceasefire took effect on April 8, highlighting the ongoing risk posed by remnants of war even after active fighting has ended.

According to the IRGC, its teams have identified and neutralised more than 15,000 unexploded ordnance across affected areas since the conflict.

The war began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iranian cities, including Tehran, prompting retaliatory missile and drone attacks by Iran targeting Israeli territory and US assets in the region.

The conflict caused widespread damage and casualties before a ceasefire was announced on April 8.

Despite the ceasefire, cleanup operations continue across impacted regions, with authorities warning that unexploded munitions remain a significant threat to both military personnel and civilians.

- Ends