An explosion occurred at Iran's southern port of Bandar Abbas on Saturday, Iranian media reported, without giving a cause for the blast.
Initial social media reports stated that members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval arm were targeted in the blast. However, the IRGC denied online rumors that its navy headquarters in Bandar Abbas was being targeted, according to an IRGC-linked Fars News report.
"No drone attack has occurred on the IRGC Navy's headquarters in Hormozgan, and no building affiliated with this force has been damaged," the IRGC said.
Semi-official Tasnim news agency said that social media reports alleging that a specific IRGC navy commander was targeted in the explosion were "completely false." Tasnim also reported that all residents of the damaged building were evacuated.
“Residents and those injured in the explosion of a residential building in Bandar Abbas have evacuated the building, and our colleagues are looking to discover the cause of the incident," the Bandar Abbas Fire Chief told Tasnim.
There were also reports of two additional explosions in Ahvaz and Parand.
Explosions, smoke reportedly caused by gas leak, reed fire
Reports of an additional explosion in Parand were denied by the Robat Karim County governor, who alleged to state-run Mehr News Agency that the source of widespread smoke reported across the city was "a fire in dried reed beds along the banks of the Shur River" rather than an explosion.
The governor added that "there is no cause for concern for residents" and that relevant authorities are investigating the matter as an "environmentally harmful action."
The explosion in Ahvaz was allegedly caused by a gas leak, Iran International reported, citing the city's Fire Department chief.
"Following a gas explosion in a four-unit building in Kianshahr, four members of a family, including the father, mother, and their two children, lost their lives," he said.
This is a developing story.