A devastating explosion ripped through an apartment building in Iran's port city of Bandar Abbas, killing four-year-old girl and leaving at least 14 others injured. The blast occurred a day before Iran was set to conduct naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that accounts for nearly a fifth of global oil trade.
US military had issued warnings to Iran not to threaten its warships or commercial vessels passing through the strait, where Bandar Abbas is located. Iranian authorities initially blamed the blast on a gas leak but have made no comment on whether it was linked to the planned naval drills.
Contrary to reports from local media showing a security force member being carried out of the building on a stretcher, Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has denied that one of its navy commanders was hurt in the explosion.
The blast comes as tensions between Iran and the US remain high, with President Donald Trump warning that the Islamic republic may face military action if protesters are killed or detained in large numbers. Trump stated that Iran is "talking to us" but refused to reveal plans for possible strikes.
Meanwhile, a separate explosion blamed on a gas leak in southwestern city of Ahvaz has claimed five lives, state media reported.
US military had issued warnings to Iran not to threaten its warships or commercial vessels passing through the strait, where Bandar Abbas is located. Iranian authorities initially blamed the blast on a gas leak but have made no comment on whether it was linked to the planned naval drills.
Contrary to reports from local media showing a security force member being carried out of the building on a stretcher, Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has denied that one of its navy commanders was hurt in the explosion.
The blast comes as tensions between Iran and the US remain high, with President Donald Trump warning that the Islamic republic may face military action if protesters are killed or detained in large numbers. Trump stated that Iran is "talking to us" but refused to reveal plans for possible strikes.
Meanwhile, a separate explosion blamed on a gas leak in southwestern city of Ahvaz has claimed five lives, state media reported.
. I mean, come on, a 4-year-old girl just died in this blast... it's not like we're trying to scare them off or anything. And now they're denying that one of their navy commanders was hurt? What's the message here? Are they saying "we don't care about our own people"? 
). But seriously, it feels like these guys are just playing chicken and someone's gonna get hurt.
I don't know, man. It all just feels like a big game of cat and mouse to me...
this is just getting crazy what's next gonna happen with these guys? Iran's got some major issues and they're just gonna keep escalating it and the US is like "we're watching" but not really doing anything about it 
anyway, I think the US should be more proactive about this situation we can't just sit back and watch as things get worse. but at the same time, Iran needs to calm down and stop all this drama 
meanwhile trump's still all up in arms about iran, like, what's gonna happen if protesters get hurt or somethin'... does anyone think we're closin to war again? 
just heard about the devastating explosion in Bandar Abbas and I'm literally shaking my head... four-year-old girl gone, 14 others hurt... it's so senseless 
We gotta hope that those involved get the help they need and that we can find a way to resolve our differences without hurting anyone 
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. It's just devastating to think about all those innocent people affected by this blast. And can you even imagine how scary it must have been for everyone inside that building? The fact that a gas leak was initially blamed but later denied is really confusing, and I hope the truth comes out soon.
, and this explosion just adds fuel to the fire. It's like, can't we all just get along and resolve our differences peacefully? I'm not trying to be diplomatic here, but it feels like things are getting really out of hand.
. And to the little girl who passed away, I just want you to know that your life mattered, and you will never be forgotten 
also sad that a kid died in that explosion hope everyone recovers from that...anyway, cant help but think of trump's words about military action if protests get outta hand like thats def a recipe for disaster 
. And what about that security force member who was supposedly taken out of the building? Denied by the Revolutionary Guard, but we all know how those guys are always tight-lipped 
. This explosion just so happens to go down a day before Iran is setting off naval drills in one of the world's most critical waterways... seems suspicious to me 
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. it's just so sad that there's no clear answer on whether the explosion was linked to those naval drills 
... why do these things always have to happen? 
, totally heartbreaking especially with that poor little 4-yr-old girl 
. Can't believe it happened right before Iran's naval drills, hope everyone involved is okay 
. Those tensions between US and Iran are getting really intense, so worried about more accidents or conflicts 
Need to stay updated on this, will be keeping an eye out for any more developments 
. I agree with the US warning to Iran not to mess with their warships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, it's a critical waterway for global oil trade and all. But at the same time, I'm not sure why Iranian authorities are being so secretive about whether this explosion was linked to the planned naval drills 
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. I hope the authorities can get a handle on this and figure out what really went down 
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4-year-old girl lost her life and many others hurt 
sending love to all those affected 