A few days ago, a video surfaced on social media showing heavy smoke billowing upwards near a busy road, the video was widely shared with claims that the Shahed drone factory in Tehran had caught fire. The narrative further suggested that Iran was supplying these drones to Russia for use against Ukraine. However, our investigation reveals a different story.
Several Twitter accounts, including @igorsushko, @Top_Distress, @warinukraineua, @insiderscorner, @JustusUwakwe, @UkraineWar2023, @peacemaket71, @WorldTimesWT, @cheguwera and @aborealis940, were instrumental in spreading this misleading news.
Did Shahed drone factory in Tehran catch fire?
Emergency services responded to a fire in a plastic warehouse or factory in Tehran near the New Foundation Square (Bonyad Mostazafan) in Tehran on September 28. The warehouse was located in the Saba Power Group complex, which belongs to the Energy Resources Development Organization, affiliated with the Ministry of Defense. According to Iranian authorities, the fire broke out while cleaning workers were evacuating waste from a previous fire. No casualties were reported.
A spokesperson for the local fire department stated that the fire was instigated due to negligence during building repairs, igniting the store supplies and plastic materials. The affected area spans approximately 500 meters, but swift action by the firefighting teams had the blaze firmly under control.
In a related development, a waste warehouse factory in Tehran affiliated with the Ministry of Defense, which had suffered a fire incident last week, experienced a re-ignition. The Ministry of Defense’s public relations office confirmed the incident and highlighted the ongoing efforts of the fire department to swiftly extinguish the rekindled flames. The affected warehouse was in the process of being cleaned and emptied by a contracted group when the fire reignited.
Conclusion
The Shahed drone factory in Tehran is indeed expected to increase its supply of one-way drones for Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine. Production of Iranian-designed drones for use against Ukraine is slated to begin next year. However, the incident of the fire had nothing to do with this factory but was related to a plastic warehouse. Accounts sharing misinformation are known for their support of NATO and Ukraine and their anti-Russia sentiments. Their intent was clear: to propagate false information against Iran and Russia. Following a precise analysis and fact-checking, our team has reviewed the claim. You can refer to the findings of this inquiry in the Twitter thread below. Also read articles by crisis24.garda.com [archive] and ifpnews.com [archive], for a better understanding of the incident.
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— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) October 2, 2023
ANALYSIS: Misleading
FACT: A video that shows heavy smoke flying upward near a busy road has been shared, claiming that the Shahed drone factory in Tehran caught fire & Iran used to supply these drones to Russia to use against Ukraine. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/nMqmVO951i
Claim: The Shahed drone factory in Tehran caught fire.
Fact: A plastic warehouse near the New Foundation Square in Tehran caught fire.
