A powerful explosion rocked an eight-storey residential building in Iran’s southern port city of Bandar Abbas on Saturday, according to state media. Authorities said they are still investigating the cause of the blast.
Iranian state television reported that the explosion took place on Moallem Boulevard, a busy area of the city.
Two Floors Destroyed, Widespread Damage Reported
State TV said the explosion destroyed two floors of the residential building. Several parked vehicles and nearby shops also suffered heavy damage.
Footage aired on state television showed the front of the building torn open. Parts of the interior were clearly visible, and debris was scattered across the surrounding streets.
Other Iranian media outlets carried similar reports. However, they did not provide details about what caused the explosion.
Rescue Operations Launched, Injured Shifted to Hospitals
Emergency services responded quickly after the blast. Rescue and firefighting teams rushed to the site and began search and relief operations.
Emergency responders moved injured people to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Hormozgan province crisis management chief Mehrdad Hassanzadeh told the official IRNA news agency that investigations were underway to find the exact cause of the explosion. He confirmed that no deaths had been reported at the time of filing this report.
Tasnim Dismisses Claims of IRGC Target
The semi-official Tasnim News Agency rejected claims circulating on social media that the explosion targeted a commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy.
Tasnim called these reports “completely false”.
The IRGC is a powerful force within Iran’s security system and reports directly to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Strategic Location Raises Attention
Bandar Abbas is located along the Strait of Hormuz. This waterway is one of the world’s most important shipping routes, with about one-fifth of global seaborne oil passing through it.
Because of its strategic importance, any major incident in the region attracts international attention.
Blast Comes Amid Rising Regional Tensions
The explosion occurred during a period of increased tension between Iran and the United States. The situation follows a strong government crackdown on nationwide protests sparked by economic hardship and continued Western concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Earlier on Saturday, President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the US, Israel and European countries of exploiting Iran’s economic problems and fuelling unrest.
The incident also coincided with the deployment of a US aircraft carrier group to the region. This move followed strong remarks by US President Donald Trump, who recently said an “armada” was heading towards Iran.