(CNN)-- A US official told CNN on Monday that the strikes on Iran have been ongoing for more than 3 hours, a relatively long duration compared to recent strikes.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) had earlier announced that forces began launching strikes on Iran "to further undermine its ability to attack civilian sailors and commercial ships transiting freely through the Strait of Hormuz."

CENTCOM clarified that US President Donald Trump "issued directives to conduct these strikes to hold Iranian forces accountable."

Meanwhile, official Iranian media reported a series of explosions late Monday night in several locations in Hormozgan province in southern Iran.

The explosions occurred in Jask, Qeshm, Bandar Abbas, and Sirik in the province, where officials confirmed no civilian casualties or damage to infrastructure.

Iran's state broadcaster IRIB said in a statement: "According to initial reports, tonight's attack targeted a communications tower" in Sirik county, noting that it is "the same site that was targeted in previous attacks."

The semi-official Mehr News Agency also reported that the United States launched an airstrike near a major city in Khuzestan province in southern Iran.

Valiollah Hayati, deputy governor of Khuzestan for security and law enforcement affairs, told Mehr that the "American enemy" targeted two sites near the city of Ahvaz, known for its oil industry.