Explosions were reported in several parts of Iran, including Qeshm Island and the port city of Bandar Abbas near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, Iranian media reported on Saturday evening (November 7).
The state broadcaster said the explosions may have been linked to activities by the Iranian military in the Strait of Hormuz. However, it ruled out any missile attack in the area.
Fears of a possible US military strike emerged following reports of the explosions. However, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, citing an informed source, said the sounds heard on Qeshm Island were not related to a missile attack.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said early Sunday that two oil tankers caught fire after striking naval mines while attempting to navigate an unauthorised route through the Strait of Hormuz.
It remains unclear whether the explosions reported in southern Iran were connected to the incidents involving the two tankers, Reuters reported.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy transit route, has faced mounting tensions since the outbreak of war between the United States and Iran in February. Commercial vessels have come under repeated attacks in the waterway.
Following US and Israeli strikes, Iran took control of the strategic passage and imposed restrictions on normal shipping operations, insisting that vessels use routes designated by Tehran.
In recent days, IRGC forces have reportedly targeted ships that failed to follow Iran’s designated maritime routes, further raising concerns over maritime security and global energy supplies.
Source: Reuters, Tasnim News Agency and Iranian state media
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