DUBAI: An explosion occurred in Bandar Abbas, Iran’s key port city near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, where the U.S. Air Force is conducting large-scale military drills.

The blast took place in an eight-story building in the heart of Bandar Abbas, a major hub for trade and military operations in the region.

According to international news agencies, the explosion caused significant damage, with at least two floors of the building completely destroyed. Several vehicles and shops in the area were also reported damaged. So far, no fatalities have been confirmed, but ambulances were seen heading to the site, suggesting that there may be casualties.

Iranian officials have stated that the cause of the explosion is still under investigation, and authorities are working to determine the origin of the blast. Rescue teams and firefighters quickly arrived at the scene and began emergency operations. Injured individuals are being transferred to nearby hospitals, but there have been no official reports on the exact number of injuries or deaths as of yet.

In a separate incident, another devastating explosion occurred in the southwestern city of Ahvaz, where at least four people were reported killed and 14 others injured. Local media outlets, however, have dismissed circulating social media reports suggesting that the attack was aimed at targeting a commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

It is important to note that Bandar Abbas is a highly significant commercial and strategic city for Iran, located close to the Strait of Hormuz, through which a substantial portion of global oil trade passes. The city was also the site of a deadly explosion in April 2025, which claimed the lives of around 60 people and injured over 100.

The Iranian authorities are continuing their investigations into the causes of the explosions, while the international community watches closely as tensions rise in the region.