Suspicion of Nuclear Testing in Iran Amid Airspace Closure and Earthquake
Iran closed its western airspace temporarily from October 6 to 7, 2024, amid escalating tensions with Israel, which followed missile attacks from Iran. The Iranian Civil Aviation Authority issued a NOTAM indicating military exercises in the area, coinciding with a 4.5 magnitude earthquake, raising suspicions of an underground nuclear test.
On October 6, Iran announced a temporary closure of its airspace from 9 PM local time until 6 AM on October 7, subsequently canceling all flights across its airports. The announcement coincided with rising tensions in the region linked to recent missile attacks on Israel. Notably, Iran Observer posted on X, highlighting the airspace closure as a potential precursor to military action against Israel, emphasizing that the closure was effective until October 9. Simultaneously, the Iranian Civil Aviation Authority issued a Notice-to-Air-Missions (NOTAM), restricting commercial flights over the majority of its western airspace due to military exercises scheduled between 1700 and 0130 UTC nightly.
The context of these events is underscored by the ongoing friction between Iran and Israel. Recently, tensions escalated following Iran’s missile attacks on Israel, which were perceived as retaliatory actions against perceived threats to Iranian military leadership. The announcement of the airspace closure may be connected to these events, suggesting preparation for military activities. The timing of the airspace closure and a measured earthquake of 4.5 in Semnan province raises questions about potential underground nuclear testing, indicating a significant development in Iran’s military posture.
Given the sequence of Iran’s airspace closure, the issuance of NOTAMs, and the coinciding seismic activity, there exists a plausible link suggesting the possibility of an underground nuclear test by Iran. This development unfolds amid escalating tensions with Israel and poses serious implications for regional security dynamics. Continued monitoring of this situation is essential as it may affect international relations and security policies in the region.
Original Source: www.india.com
