A test of Iranian air defenses triggered an explosion near the Natanz uranium enrichment facility on Saturday, as nuclear talks between Tehran and major powers hang in the balance.

 

 

The explosion was heard in the air above the city of Badrud, located about 20 km from the nuclear facility, according to the official IRNA news agency.

 

"The residents of Badrud heard the sound and saw a light that showed an object exploding in the sky above the city," the agency quoted one of the witnesses as saying.

 

The commander of the Air Defense Forces of the Natanz region confirmed that what happened was a test of one of the Iranian missile systems.