Iranian authorities have dismissed claims that a senior military figure was targeted in an explosion that struck the southern port city of Bandar Abbas on Saturday, describing social media reports as “completely false”.
The semi-official Tasnim news agency refuted allegations circulating online suggesting a Revolutionary Guard navy commander had been the intended target of the blast. The denial came as rescue and firefighting teams continued working at the scene of the incident.
An eight-storey building sustained serious damage across its first to third floors in the explosion, according to Fars news agency. Persian Gulf Radio reported that several vehicles and a retail premises were also damaged in the blast.
Emergency services remain deployed at the location, though the cause of the explosion has not been determined. Authorities have not released information regarding casualties or the extent of injuries sustained in the incident.
The port of Bandar Abbas occupies a strategically significant position on the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway separating Iran from Oman. The strait serves as a critical shipping route, with approximately one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil passing through the channel.
The explosion occurs against a backdrop of escalating regional tensions following a substantial American military deployment to waters near Iran. US President Donald Trump stated earlier this week that a “large armada” was heading toward Iran, warning that if the two nations fail to reach an agreement, “we’ll see what happens”.
Iran has recently experienced widespread civil unrest, with nationwide demonstrations initially sparked by economic grievances quickly evolving into calls for regime change. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard moved swiftly to suppress the protests, with estimates suggesting the death toll reached thousands.
The proximity of Saturday’s explosion to key military and commercial infrastructure has heightened scrutiny of the incident. Bandar Abbas serves as a major naval base for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps in addition to its commercial port operations.
Social media platforms saw rapid circulation of unverified claims regarding the nature and target of the explosion, prompting the official denial from Iranian state-affiliated media outlets.
Investigations into the cause of the blast are expected to continue, with authorities yet to provide a timeline for releasing findings. The incident adds to regional instability as diplomatic and military tensions between Iran and Western powers remain elevated.
Further updates on casualties, structural assessments of the damaged building, and the investigation’s progress are anticipated in coming days.
