Local sources and domestic media reported that at least five explosions were heard west of Bandar Abbas. Simultaneously, reports emerged of several explosions in the city of Bushehr and the Chahadak area. However, as of the time of writing, officials had provided no details regarding the exact locations of the explosions, their cause, or any potential damage.
Domestic news agencies and media outlets only noted that the explosions had occurred, and it remained unclear whether the sounds were caused by new strikes, the activation of air defence systems, or other factors.
Reports of the explosions came just hours after the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the conclusion of its latest wave of strikes against Iran on Tuesday morning, July 14. CENTCOM stated that the five-hour operation by U.S. forces was aimed at degrading the Islamic Republic’s capability to attack commercial shipping and targeted sites in Bushehr, Bandar Abbas, Jask, Konarak, Chabahar, and Abu Musa Island.
Since the early hours of July 12, coinciding with the launch of widespread U.S. strikes against Islamic Republic military positions in southern Iran, the provinces of Hormozgan and Bushehr have been repeatedly targeted by airstrikes. In response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has expanded its missile and drone attacks against U.S. bases and interests in countries across the region, while simultaneously announcing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and launching strikes on commercial shipping - developments that have pushed military tensions in the Persian Gulf to their highest level in recent years.
