At least five people have been killed in two separate explosions reported in Iran, as authorities moved quickly to deny claims that a military figure had been targeted amid escalating regional tensions.
The first blast occurred last Saturday at the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, according to local media. One person, a four-year-old girl, was killed, while 14 others were injured. A second explosion, more than 1,000 kilometres away in the south-western city of Ahvaz, left four people dead, local officials said.
Iranian media reported that both incidents were caused by gas explosions, and Israel has denied any involvement.
Speculation circulating on social media suggested that a Revolutionary Guard navy commander had been the target of the Bandar Abbas blast. However, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency dismissed the claims as “completely false”.
According to Fars news agency, the explosion in Bandar Abbas struck an eight-storey residential building, causing significant damage to the first three floors. Persian Gulf Radio reported that several cars and a nearby shop were also damaged.
Rescue and firefighting teams were deployed to the scene, and footage released by Fars showed shattered glass, rubble and debris scattered across the surrounding area.
Bandar Abbas is a strategically significant port located on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane between Iran and Oman through which around a fifth of the world’s seaborne oil passes.
The explosions come at a time of heightened tension in the region, as the United States continues to build up its military presence near Iran.
They also follow nationwide protests that began over economic grievances but rapidly evolved into a broader challenge to Iran’s leadership. The demonstrations were swiftly suppressed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, with the number of people killed believed to be in the thousands.
Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump said a “large armada” was heading towards Iran, warning that if the two countries failed to reach an agreement, “we’ll see what happens.”
