Iranian port city Bandar Abbas has been hit by another devastating explosion, this time leaving two people dead and 13 others injured. The blast is believed to have been caused by a gas leak in an eight-storey residential building.
The explosion occurred amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, with President Donald Trump previously threatening to attack Tehran over recent anti-government protests. However, Trump has since stated that he believes Iran wants to make a deal rather than face military action.
According to local officials, including fire chief Mohammad Amin Lyaghat, who said "the initial cause of the building accident in Bandar Abbas was a gas leak and buildup, leading to an explosion". The blast caused significant damage to the building, destroying two floors, several vehicles, and shops.
Eyewitnesses describe the scene as chaotic, with debris scattered around the area. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has denied that any of its naval forces in the province were targeted by the explosion.
The incident comes amid fears of a military confrontation between Iran and the US. Ali Larijani, a senior Iranian security official, has downplayed tensions, stating that work on a framework for negotiations with the US is progressing.
The port city of Bandar Abbas is a vital waterway in the Strait of Hormuz, which handles about a fifth of the world's seaborne oil. The area has experienced significant unrest in recent times, including a major explosion last year that killed dozens of people and injured over 1,000 others.
Separately, another gas explosion occurred in the city of Ahvaz near the Iraqi border, killing four people.
The explosion occurred amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, with President Donald Trump previously threatening to attack Tehran over recent anti-government protests. However, Trump has since stated that he believes Iran wants to make a deal rather than face military action.
According to local officials, including fire chief Mohammad Amin Lyaghat, who said "the initial cause of the building accident in Bandar Abbas was a gas leak and buildup, leading to an explosion". The blast caused significant damage to the building, destroying two floors, several vehicles, and shops.
Eyewitnesses describe the scene as chaotic, with debris scattered around the area. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has denied that any of its naval forces in the province were targeted by the explosion.
The incident comes amid fears of a military confrontation between Iran and the US. Ali Larijani, a senior Iranian security official, has downplayed tensions, stating that work on a framework for negotiations with the US is progressing.
The port city of Bandar Abbas is a vital waterway in the Strait of Hormuz, which handles about a fifth of the world's seaborne oil. The area has experienced significant unrest in recent times, including a major explosion last year that killed dozens of people and injured over 1,000 others.
Separately, another gas explosion occurred in the city of Ahvaz near the Iraqi border, killing four people.