A devastating fire at the Arghavan shopping centre in Andisheh town, Tehran, has claimed at least eight lives and left 40 others injured. The blaze sent a massive plume of smoke into the air as panic gripped bystanders outside the building.
Fire Spread Rapidly Due to Flammable Cladding
Local fire department officials confirmed that flammable cladding on the building's exterior caused the flames to spread rapidly. Authorities have launched an investigation into the tragedy. There is no indication that the incident is linked to the ongoing conflict in Iran, which began with a joint US-Israeli strike on February 28.
Ceasefire Under Strain
The fire comes amid heightened tensions following a fragile ceasefire between Iran and US-Israeli forces. US military leaders insist the truce remains in effect despite recent attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. The ceasefire, reached nearly a month ago, faced renewed pressure after Iran was accused of launching a missile and drone attack on a major oil refinery in the UAE on Monday, injuring three Indian nationals.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire, while emergency services work to treat the injured and assess the damage.
