Fourteen Iranian Revolutionary Guard Members Killed in Unexploded Ordnance Blast in Zanjan
TEHRAN — May 2, 2026 — Fourteen members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were killed and two others wounded in an explosion caused by leftover wartime munitions in the northwestern province of Zanjan, state-affiliated media reported on Friday, May 1.
The explosion occurred as IRGC demolition teams were conducting clearance operations to identify and neutralize unexploded ordnance left from US and Israeli airstrikes during the 40-day war against Iran, which began on February 28, 2026.
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A statement from the IRGC’s Ansar al-Mahdi unit in Zanjan province said the blast was triggered by “an unknown munition” and that all victims were among the force’s most experienced, well-trained, and specialized personnel. Reports indicated that the ammunition involved included cluster bombs and air-dropped mines used during the conflict.
Largest Loss Since Ceasefire
Friday’s incident marks the largest number of IRGC members reported killed since the US and Iran agreed to a ceasefire on April 8, 2026.
The war, which lasted approximately 40 days, began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iranian cities, including Tehran. Iran responded with retaliatory missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli territory and US assets in the region. The conflict caused widespread damage and casualties before the ceasefire was announced.
Ongoing Clearance Operations
According to the IRGC, its teams have identified and neutralized more than 15,000 unexploded ordnance across affected areas since the conflict began. The area around Zanjan has been particularly hazardous, with sapper units working to clear the region of dangerous remnants.
About 1,200 hectares of agricultural land in the region remains impacted by the presence of unexploded ordnance, according to Fars News Agency, posing a continuing safety threat to civilians.
Iranian authorities have repeatedly warned that unexploded munitions remain a significant threat to both military personnel and civilians as cleanup operations continue.
SOURCES / INPUTS
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