DUBAI: January 31, 2026 – Several explosions were reported in different parts of Iran today, including in the strategic southern port city of Bandar Abbas, the southwestern city of Ahvaz, and other locations, according to Iranian state media, local reports, and social media accounts. The incidents have left at least several people dead and injured, though official causes remain under investigation and authorities have largely attributed them to accidents such as gas leaks.
The most prominent blast occurred in Bandar Abbas, a key port on the Persian Gulf near the Strait of Hormuz, which handles a significant portion of Iran’s maritime trade and roughly one-fifth of global seaborne oil transit. Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported an explosion in or near a residential or multi-story building, with the cause unknown at this stage. Initial casualty figures from local authorities in Hormozgan province indicate at least one dead and 14 injured in the Bandar Abbas incident. Iranian officials, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), quickly denied social media rumors that the blast targeted a senior IRGC naval commander, calling such claims “completely false.”
In Ahvaz, located in oil-rich Khuzestan province near the Iraqi border, a separate explosion in a residential complex killed four people, including members of one family. State-affiliated media described it as a gas explosion, with rescuers reportedly pulling a woman and a young child alive from the rubble. Some reports suggested similar incidents may have occurred in other areas, including Parand (near Tehran), Shahriar, Karaj, and possibly Qeshm or Nowshahr, though these remain unconfirmed or weakly documented due to restricted internet access in parts of the country.
The explosions come against a backdrop of severe domestic unrest, with nationwide protests that began in late December 2025 and intensified into early January 2026. Security forces have cracked down heavily, resulting in thousands of reported deaths according to human rights groups. Recent days have also seen escalating external tensions, including U.S. military movements described by some outlets as a “large armada” approaching the region, and public threats from U.S. leadership in response to the protest crackdown. Iranian officials have placed armed forces on high alert and warned of readiness for any potential aggression.
No group has claimed responsibility for the blasts, and Iranian authorities have not linked them to foreign involvement, sabotage, or military action. Some independent reports and social media speculation have drawn parallels to past incidents where covert operations were later alleged, but no evidence has emerged to support such claims in these cases. Investigations are ongoing, with officials urging the public not to speculate.
The incidents have fueled online discussions, with some users expressing fears of further escalation amid the fragile regional environment. Authorities have restored limited internet in recent days after a prolonged blackout, but connectivity remains patchy in many areas.
This is a developing story. Further details on casualties, causes, and any official statements are expected as investigations continue.
