Istanbul / Anadolu

Reports were conflicting on Thursday evening about explosions in several Iranian cities, after local media reported hearing blasts in three southern provinces, while state TV denied any explosions in some areas.

Iran's semi-official Mehr News Agency reported that three explosions were heard in the city of Konarak in Sistan and Baluchestan province, two explosions in the Choghadak area of Bushehr province, as well as several explosions in the city of Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan province.

The agency did not provide details on the nature or causes of the explosions.

In contrast, Iranian state television said that contrary to reports by some media, no explosions were recorded in the cities of Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, Sirik, and Kask in Hormozgan province, located on the northern coast of the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, authorities in Bushehr province announced that investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the explosion heard in the area, and whether it resulted from the air defense system intercepting an attack or from a falling 'enemy' missile.

Iran's official news agency IRNA quoted Ehsan Jahaniyan, deputy governor of Bushehr for political and security affairs, as saying that the sound of the explosion heard in the city was 'the result of a timely reaction by the air defense.'

Jahaniyan added that the air defenses 'foiled an aerial attack by American enemy drones.'

He indicated that 'a military base on the outskirts of Bushehr city was hit moments ago by a projectile fired by the American-Zionist enemy.'

Jahaniyan clarified that no reports of casualties from the attack have been received yet.

These developments come amid ongoing military escalation between the United States and Iran.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Thursday that it had carried out new strikes targeting about 90 Iranian military sites, including air defense systems, missile and drone storage sites, naval capabilities, and logistical infrastructure on the Iranian coast.

In response, Iran's Revolutionary Guard announced attacks on US military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, warning that it would expand the scope of its attacks if US strikes continued.

The Gulf region has been witnessing rising tensions since the onset of the US-Israeli military confrontation with Iran on February 28, despite Washington and Tehran signing a memorandum of understanding on June 18, and ongoing negotiations between them mediated by Qatar and Pakistan to reach a final agreement.