Unexploded Ordnance Blast Kills 14 Iranian Revolutionary Guards

01/05/2026

TEHRAN, May 1: Fourteen members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were killed and two others injured in an explosion during a munitions clearance operation in the country’s northwest, according to an official statement released on Friday.

The incident occurred in Zanjan province, where specialized demolition teams from the IRGC’s Ansar al-Mahdi unit had been deployed to secure and neutralize unexploded ordnance. The unit said its personnel were operating in an area contaminated with munitions believed to have been left behind following recent airstrikes.

According to the statement, the team had entered the site to identify and safely dismantle the unexploded devices when a sudden blast took place, resulting in multiple casualties. The exact cause of the explosion was not immediately disclosed, and authorities have not confirmed whether it was triggered during handling procedures or due to instability in the munitions.

Emergency responders evacuated the wounded to nearby medical facilities, while security forces cordoned off the area to prevent further incidents. Officials did not provide details on the condition of the injured personnel.

The IRGC described the operation as part of ongoing efforts to secure affected areas and eliminate remnants of conflict-related hazards that pose risks to both military personnel and civilians. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the explosion are reportedly underway.

The accident highlights the continued dangers posed by unexploded ordnance in conflict-affected areas, even after active hostilities subside, and underscores the risks faced by clearance teams tasked with restoring safety on the ground.