At least seven people have lost their lives and more than a dozen have been injured in two separate explosions in southern Iran, authorities and local media report. While government officials have attributed the incidents to gas leaks, residents of the affected areas have expressed scepticism over this explanation. Meanwhile, Israeli officials have denied any involvement in the blasts.
According to reports from Iran International, the first explosion occurred in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas. A residential building was heavily damaged, killing at least two people and injuring 14 others, local disaster management authorities told state media.
Eyewitnesses at the scene described the building as extensively damaged. Video footage shows debris scattered across the surrounding area, and the two-storey structure was almost entirely destroyed. The local fire service chief stated that a gas leak was initially suspected as the cause of the blast, a claim echoed by Iranian state media. However, residents interviewed by Iran International contradicted this explanation, asserting that the building’s gas connections had not yet been activated at the time of the explosion.
Rumours circulated on social media suggesting that the explosion targeted a commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy in Bandar Abbas. The IRGC, citing the Tasnim News Agency, categorically denied these claims.
The second explosion took place in the southwestern city of Ahvaz, also reportedly caused by a gas leak. State media confirmed that five people were killed and three others injured in this incident.
Israeli officials, speaking to Reuters, denied any involvement in either of the explosions. Iranian authorities have confirmed that investigations into both incidents are ongoing, but no further details regarding the precise causes have been released.
For a clearer overview, the casualties and damages from both explosions are summarised below:
| Location | Fatalities | Injuries | Reported Cause | Notable Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bandar Abbas | 2 | 14 | Suspected gas leak | Two-storey residential building destroyed; residents dispute gas leak claim |
| Ahvaz | 5 | 3 | Suspected gas leak | Explosion occurred in southwestern city; details limited |
| Total | 7 | 17 | — | — |
Authorities continue to investigate both incidents amid growing public concern over safety standards in residential areas. Meanwhile, the local population remains anxious and uncertain about the accuracy of official explanations, highlighting tensions between state reporting and eyewitness accounts.