Earthquake Hits Iran's Aradan, Tremors Felt In Tehran

A 4.5 magnitude earthquake struck the town of Aradan in Iran's Semnan province on Saturday night. The United States Geological Survey reported that the quake occurred at approximately 10:45 p.m. local time at a depth of 10 kilometers. Tremors were felt as far away as Tehran, located over 110 kilometers from the epicenter. Initial reports estimated the magnitude at 4.4, but it was later revised to 4.5.

A magnitude 4.4 earthquake has hit the Iranian town of Aradan in Semnan province, some 70 miles southeast of Tehran, according to Iran's state-run media. Many residents of the Iranian capital felt the tremors.

— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) October 5, 2024

Conspiracy Theories -The earthquake hit Iran amidst escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. Following the assassinations of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Iranian army launched missile strikes against Israel earlier in the week. Iran also claimed responsibility for attacks on three air force bases and Mossad headquarters. Reports suggest that Israel is "preparing a response" to the Iranian assault.Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a broadcast, "The way in which we respond to this disgraceful attack will be in the manner, at the location and the timing which we decide, according to the political leadership’s instructions."Meanwhile, CNN reported that Israel has not given assurances that it won't target Iran's nuclear facilities.After the earthquake, conspiracy theories circulated on social media, with some speculating that the tremors were caused by "underground nuclear testing.""The earthquake in Iran happened very close to a nuclear power plant. This might not have been an earthquake," one person claimed.Another claimed, "The earthquake in Iran was an underground nuclear test."