Huge explosion in Iranian port city

Iranian state television said today’s explosion “destroyed two floors of the building along with several vehicles and shops” in the Moallem Avenue area in Bandar Abbas, a city on Iran’s coast.

Images from the scene showed the facade of the eight-story building blown away and debris scattered around.

News agency IRNA quoted Mehrdad Hassanzadeh, director of crisis management in Hormozgan province, as saying the cause of the explosion was being investigated.

“Those injured in the explosion are being transported to the hospital,” he said, without saying whether there were any deaths. Local media reported that one person was killed and 14 injured in the incident.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement denying information spread on social networks that a naval commander from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was “assassinated” in the explosion..

Two Israeli officials spoke on condition of anonymity Reuters that Tel Aviv was not involved in the explosion in Iran.

Bandar Abbas port is located on the Strait of Hormuz, an important shipping route between Iran and Oman, where about 20% of the world’s seaborne oil passes.

The explosion occurred amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington related to the recent wave of anti-government protests in Iran. The US spoke out in support of the protesters and President Donald Trump announced that he had sent a fleet close to Iran.

Many sources said on January 30 that Mr. Trump was considering options against Iran, including targeted attacks on the country’s security forces.

Iranian military commander Amir Hatami today warned the US and Israel of the consequences if they attack the country, adding that Tehran’s forces are ready to defend and fight at “maximum”