Deadly Explosions Rock Southern Iran as Officials Cite Gas Leaks, Residents Raise Doubts

At least seven people were killed and more than a dozen injured after two explosions struck southern Iran on Saturday, with authorities attributing the blasts to gas leaks a claim questioned by local residents. Israel has denied any involvement.

In the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, an explosion tore through a residential building, killing at least two people and injuring 14 others, according to a local crisis management official quoted by state media. The city’s fire department chief said initial assessments indicated a gas leak caused the blast, a narrative echoed by state-run outlets.

However, doubts quickly emerged. A resident, speaking in a video obtained by Iran International, said the building had not yet been connected to the gas network, casting uncertainty over the official explanation.

Footage from the scene showed extensive damage, with two floors of the building destroyed and debris scattered across the surrounding area.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) dismissed rumors that the Bandar Abbas explosion targeted the commander of its naval forces. The IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency described such reports as false.

Details surrounding the second explosion elsewhere in southern Iran remain limited as investigations continue.