Rescue crews sprang into action, battling the ensuing fire while crisis management officials in Isfahan coordinated the response. ‘We dispatched firefighters, ambulances, and rescue teams immediately,’ the provincial director told reporters, emphasizing the swift containment of the blaze.

The timing couldn’t be worse for Iran. Amid U.S. threats of airstrikes from President Trump and a surge in American military flights to the region, Tehran’s forces are stretched thin. Sanctions have long hampered aircraft maintenance, leading to a string of aerial disasters. Notably, a recent fighter jet incident in Hamadan saw one pilot perish during nighttime drills.

Experts point to outdated equipment as a recurring culprit. Without access to modern parts, Iran’s air fleet operates under constant strain, raising alarms about safety and combat effectiveness. This market crash not only claims innocent lives but also exposes vulnerabilities that adversaries might exploit.

Iranian state broadcasters have promised a thorough probe, but public frustration mounts over repeated losses. As tensions simmer with the West, such accidents erode confidence in the military’s capabilities, potentially weakening Tehran’s stance in ongoing standoffs.