Witnesses hear explosion at power plant in Karaj, Iran - report

Videos published by Iran International appeared to show a fire at the scene. 

Footage from the reported explosion at a power plant in the city of Karaj, Iran. May 2, 2025. (photo credit: SCREENSHOT/X)
Footage from the reported explosion at a power plant in the city of Karaj, Iran. May 2, 2025.
(photo credit: SCREENSHOT/X)

An explosion was heard at a power plant in the city of Karaj in Iran, according to footage shared on social media on Saturday night.  

Videos published by Iran International appeared to show a fire at the scene. 

According to reports, a 4.0 magnitude earthquake was felt in Karaj, located northwest of Tehran; however, it was unclear whether it was triggered by the explosion or vice versa.

A MAN WALKS on a Tehran street this week. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani declared this week that ‘from Sunday we can sell our weapons to whomever we want and buy weapons from whomever we want.’ (credit: REUTERS)
A MAN WALKS on a Tehran street this week. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani declared this week that ‘from Sunday we can sell our weapons to whomever we want and buy weapons from whomever we want.’ (credit: REUTERS)

Iranian officials respond

Iranian officials cited by the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen news outlet claimed the power outages reported in the area were due to bad weather.

On April 26, an explosion occurred at the Port of Bandar Abbas, killing at least 70 and wounding over 1,000 people. 

According to The Washington Post, the blast at the Islamic Republic's largest port was caused by a chemical fire that began in a shipping container, as confirmed by visual evidence and explosives experts. 

This is a developing story.