Blast at Iran’s southern port of Bandar Abbas: reports

According to Iranian media reports, an explosion occurred in Iran’s southern port of Bandar Abbas, with the cause of the explosion not specified.

Tasnim news agency said social media reports that a Revolutionary Guard naval commander was targeted in the explosion were “completely false”.

Iranian media said the explosion was being investigated but did not provide further information.

Iranian officials could not immediately be contacted for comment.

Bandar Abbas port is located on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway between Iran and Oman, where approximately one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil is handled.

The reported explosion came at a time of rising tensions between Iran and the United States after Iranian authorities cracked down on the biggest protests to rock the country in three years, and also amid ongoing international concerns about Iran’s nuclear program.

The protests broke out in December over economic difficulties and have posed one of the toughest challenges for the country’s clerical rulers.

An Iranian official told Reuters that at least 5,000 people were killed in the protests, including 500 security forces.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that a “armada” was heading towards Iran.

Multiple sources said Friday that Trump is weighing options against Iran, including attacks targeting its security forces.

Earlier Saturday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused U.S., Israeli and European leaders of exploiting Iran’s economic problems, fomenting unrest and providing people with the means to “tear the nation apart.”