Days after a series of tremors were felt in Iran, speculation has emerged regarding the possibility of a covert nuclear event. A 4.5-magnitude earthquake was reported in Iran’s Semnan province on October 5, raising concerns due to its proximity to an Iranian nuclear power plant.
The epicenter of the quake was located about 10 kilometers beneath the surface, close to this sensitive facility. This depth and location have fueled speculation on social media, suggesting that the tremor may not have been a typical seismic event but rather an underground nuclear test conducted by the Islamic Republic. Some commentators argue that this could be a response to ongoing Israeli threats aimed at bombing Tehran’s nuclear and oil facilities.
According to Iranian sources speaking to The Cradle, discussions at high levels in Iran are underway regarding the possibility that a nuclear test was indeed conducted. In September, Syrian sources had anticipated that Iran would pursue the development of a breakout nuclear weapons capability following Israel’s assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
On October 1, Iran launched at least 180 ballistic missiles at Israel, resulting in damage to three airbases. This retaliation followed the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and IRGC commander Abbas Nilforushan on September 27. Iran is currently on alert for a potential Israeli counter-response.
The speculation surrounding a nuclear test coincides with a recent report from the Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank in the United States, which stated that “Iran can produce nuclear weapons far more rapidly than expected.” This report, published on October 1, cited a senior Iranian lawmaker in late April 2024, who claimed there is only a “one-week gap from the issuance of the order to the first test” of a nuclear bomb.
