TEHRAN: A moderate earthquake struck both Iran and Israel on the evening of October 5, stirring intense speculations that Iran may have conducted a covert nuclear test.
The 4.6 magnitude earthquake had its epicentre in Aradan, Semnan province, at a shallow depth of just 10 km.
At around 10:45 PM local time, the tremors were felt as far away as Tehran, approximately 110 km from the epicentre, according to the US Geological Survey.
Just minutes after the initial quake, a second, weaker tremor was reported in Israel around midnight, further fuelling concerns and theories about the nature of these seismic events. The unusual timing of both occurrences, coupled with the ongoing tensions between the two nations, led to social media speculations that a covert nuclear test was afoot.
Nuclear test or earthquake?
A report claimed that the earthquake in Iran occurred very close to the nuclear power plant, so it cannot be said whether the shock was due to an earthquake or a nuclear test.
Another report has claimed that the earthquake in Iran could be an underground nuclear test because its center was at a depth of only 10 km from the ground. In such a situation, the speculation about Iran’s nuclear test has deepened.
While underground nuclear tests can produce seismic activity, the specifics of this event raise questions. Iran’s nuclear sites, such as Natanz, are fortified deep underground, indicating capabilities for such operations. However, the earthquake’s shallow depth and magnitude do not definitively indicate a nuclear test – as containing an underground explosion without surface disruption is complex.
Israeli military says sirens sounded in central Israel
The current political climate, however, has heightened fears with respect to Iran’s advancing nuclear capabilities. Following the killings of key figures in Hezbollah and Hamas, Iran launched around 400 missiles into Israel on October 1.
Since Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, the Jewish state’s airstrikes have killed over 42,000 Palestinians and internally displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza. In addition to Gaza, Israel has also targeted parts of southern Lebanon, killing 2,000 people and forcing thousands to flee for safety. Despite the growing humanitarian crisis, the government led by Benjamin Netanyahu, with support from the United States, shows no signs of reducing its military actions.