According to reports from Iranian state media, a major explosion occurred on Saturday local time in the southern port city of Abbas Port, resulting in at least one death and 14 injuries.

The explosion took place in an eight-story residential building on Moallem Boulevard, causing two floors to collapse, with nearby vehicles and shops also sustaining damage. Emergency rescue personnel quickly arrived at the scene, with debris from the explosion scattered throughout the streets.

Preliminary investigations indicate that local fire department officials believe the tragic incident may have been caused by a gas leak. The head of the fire department stated that further investigations would provide more information.

Mehrdad Hassanzadeh, the crisis management chief of Hormozgan Province, had previously stated that investigations into the cause of the accident were ongoing. The latest reports suggest that the death toll may have risen to two people, while the number of injuries remains at 14.

Images on social media platforms showed residents trapped in the rubble and damaged vehicles. In another natural gas explosion incident in the city of Awash near the Iran-Iraq border, four people were killed.

These series of explosions occurred amidst heightened political tensions within Iran. Prior to these incidents making headlines, President Masoud Pishvai had accused foreign powers such as the United States and Israel of exacerbating Iran's economic woes and inciting unrest among its populace.

The Iranian Tasnim News Agency refuted claims circulating on social media that a Revolutionary Guard commander was targeted in the explosion in Bandar Abbas, deeming them baseless rumors.

Israeli officials, when asked by Reuters for comments, confirmed that Israel was not involved. However, representatives from the Pentagon have yet to respond to these events.

The geopolitical significance of Bandar Abbas cannot be overlooked. It hosts Iran's largest container port and is strategically located at the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime passage for approximately 20% of global oil shipments.

This incident is not isolated. In April of last year, the port experienced a serious explosion accident that resulted in significant casualties due to lapses in civil defense protocols and safety measures.

Since December last year, Iran has been grappling with large-scale protest movements sparked by economic hardships. According to reports from the US-based human rights organization HRANA, over 6,500 individuals have lost their lives in these demonstrations, including many security personnel.