A 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck northern Iran on Friday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), occurring as Israel continued a series of heavy airstrikes on Iranian territory.
Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, however, reported the tremor at a slightly higher magnitude of 5.2. The quake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers and was centered approximately 37 kilometers southwest of Semnan city in northern Iran.
The quake’s epicenter is alarmingly close to the Fordow nuclear enrichment facility located in Qom Province, raising concerns amidst the ongoing conflict. Tremors were reportedly felt in Tehran, Iran’s capital, although no structural damage has been confirmed.
Semnan, the city closest to the epicenter, lies about 145 miles east of Tehran. While the tremors were classified as light, their timing coincided with Israeli missile activity in Iran’s southwest, adding to an already tense atmosphere.
Reports indicate that the Israeli strikes targeted an air defense facility in Magar, Behmai Province. Israeli outlet ynetnews.com said the assault may be connected to a broader operation in which three surface-to-surface missile launchers—allegedly positioned to launch attacks on Israel—were destroyed.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed it had dismantled the missile systems and eliminated a “cell” of Iranian commanders and soldiers. The IDF also reported that a Remotely Piloted Aircraft had identified and neutralized a group of Iranian soldiers, including a base commander from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who was allegedly overseeing 15 missile launchers en route to launch operations.
“Additionally, a Remotely Piloted Aircraft identified a group of Iranian soldiers, including an IRGC base commander in western Iran responsible for 15 missile launchers, en route to carry out a launch. The cell was eliminated,” the IDF stated.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high as Iran continues to endure military strikes while also facing internal challenges. The dual threats of natural disaster and geopolitical conflict are compounding public fears and drawing international attention.
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