Iran accuses Israel of sabotage attack after explosions strike a natural gas pipeline

An Israeli sabotage attack on an Iranian natural gas pipeline last week caused multiple explosions on the line, Iran's oil minister alleged Wednesday, further raising tensions between the regional archenemies against the backdrop of Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The accusations by Iran’s Oil Minister Javad Owji come as Israel has been blamed for a series of attacks targeting Tehran's nuclear program.

The "explosion of the gas pipeline was an Israeli plot,” Owji said, according to Iran's state-run IRNA news agency. "The enemy intended to disturb gas service in the provinces and put people’s gas distribution at risk.”

"The evil action and plot by the enemy was properly managed,” Owji added, without providing any evidence to support his claims.

Israel has not acknowledged carrying out the attack, though it rarely claims its espionage missions abroad. The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a longtime foe of Iran, did not respond to a request for comment.

Associated Press