IRGC Confirms 14 Personnel Martyred in Explosion During Unexploded Ordnance Clearance Operation in Zanjan

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has confirmed that 14 of its personnel were martyred and two others injured following a powerful explosion during a mine and unexploded ordnance clearance operation in Iran’s Zanjan province.

In an official statement issued by the IRGC in Zanjan, the incident occurred on Friday while specialized demolition units were conducting a sensitive mission to detect and neutralize unexploded munitions left behind following US-Israeli airstrikes.

The statement read, “The explosion of an unknown and unexploded munition during a counter-improvised explosive device (neutralization) operation led to this tragic incident,”

The IRGC emphasized that the fallen personnel were highly trained and experienced specialists engaged in high-risk operations aimed at ensuring national and regional security. It added that they sacrificed their lives in the service of public safety and stability.

According to the statement, the region had been heavily affected by aerial bombardments involving cluster bombs and bomblets, which left behind hazardous unexploded devices across large areas, including more than 1,200 hectares of agricultural land.

Following these conditions, IRGC demolition units were deployed to systematically identify, clear, and neutralize remaining explosive threats with precision and caution.

The IRGC also expressed condolences to the families of the martyrs and reaffirmed its commitment to continuing hazardous clearance operations with professionalism and dedication.

Earlier reports indicated that specialized IRGC units had already neutralized thousands of unexploded bomblets and destroyed multiple large ordnance devices left from previous military strikes in the region.

The broader context of the operation comes after heightened regional tensions, including reported military strikes and retaliatory actions between Iran, the United States, and Israel earlier in the year, which led to extensive damage in several areas.

Iranian Armed Forces have since carried out large-scale retaliatory operations, while ongoing clearance missions continue in affected provinces to eliminate remaining explosive hazards and restore civilian safety.