Iran: 14 IRGC Personnel Killed, 2 Injured During Ordnance Clearance Mission

New Delhi: Even as talks to de-escalate the conflict between Iran and the US are still underway, several major incidents have occurred in quick succession. First, a major accident took place in Iran, resulting in the deaths of 14 personnel from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Second, the IRGC leveled a serious allegation against the US. And third, US President Donald Trump explicitly stated that he was displeased with Iran’s latest proposal. In short, the path to peace remains fraught with difficulty.

In the northwestern region of Iran lies a province named Zanjan. An IRGC team was engaged in a specialized operation in this area—specifically, the removal of unexploded bombs and ordnance buried in or scattered across the ground. This process is known as “ordnance clearance.” During this operation, an unexploded bomb suddenly detonated. The blast claimed the lives of 14 IRGC personnel and left two others injured. Iran’s state-run news agency, Fars News, reported that approximately 1,200 hectares of agricultural land in the region remain under threat from scattered unexploded ordnance. Thus, this tragic incident is symptomatic of a larger, ongoing problem.

The IRGC issued a statement via social media, asserting that the Trump administration has abandoned its previous policy. Formerly, the US pursued a strategy aimed at “controlling global energy resources.” However, it has now shifted to a policy of “obstructionism.” The IRGC alleged that the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz was executed as part of this broader strategy of obstruction. The true objective, they claimed, is to impede China, Russia, and Europe. However, the IRGC asserts that this plan has already failed within just 20 days. Furthermore, they contend that Iran has now emerged as a focal point for nations opposed to this US policy of “obstructionism.”

What Did Donald Trump Say? Speaking to reporters at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran has sent a new proposal, but he is not pleased with it. His exact words were: “They want to make a deal, but I am not satisfied with it; let’s see what happens.” President Trump also noted that while Iran has indeed taken certain steps, he is not convinced that the country will ultimately be able to reach an agreement.

In addition, President Trump made another significant observation. He remarked that there is considerable fragmentation within Iran’s leadership. According to him, there are two, three—or perhaps even four—distinct factions pulling in different directions.

President Trump stated that this very fragmentation is creating difficulties in the negotiations. However, he also acknowledged that all these factions do, in one way or another, desire some form of agreement.