Government newspaper in Iran quotes brother of dead Revolutionary Guard commander saying accidental explosion took place during missile test; Iranian officials have denied press speculation on Israeli involvement.

The brother of an Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander killed in an explosion at an ammunition depot west of Tehran last week has been quoted by a government daily as saying that the dead man was testing an intercontinental missile.

Gen. Hasan Tehrani Moghaddam was killed together with 20 other Guard members Nov. 12 at a military site outside Bidganeh village, 25 miles (40 kilometers) southwest of Tehran. The Revolutionary Guard said the accidental explosion occurred while military personnel were transporting munitions.

But Mohammad Tehrani Moghaddam was quoted by the government-run “Iran” newspaper as saying that his brother was killed when the weapon exploded during testing. Iran says it has ruled out sabotage.

Earlier this week, Iranian officials denied press speculation that Israel was responsible for the blast.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/iran-paper-deadly-blast-occurred-during-intercontinental-missile-test-1.396474