Explosions heard in S. Iran as US claims strikes on IRGC targets

TEHRAN -- Multiple explosions were heard Tuesday evening across Iran's southern Hormozgan and southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan provinces, as US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the start of strikes against targets belonging to Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC).

Blasts were heard in the counties of Sirik, Bandar Abbas and Qeshm in Hormozgan, as well as Konarak and Chabahar in Sistan and Baluchestan, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

The exact locations and origins of the blasts remain unknown, it added.

The semi-official Tasnim news agency, citing local sources, reported six blasts in Konarak and eight south of Qeshm Island, with unofficial accounts suggesting an explosion from the island's airport.

Meanwhile, Ali Khalilabadi, Sistan and Baluchestan's deputy governor for security and law enforcement affairs, said four projectiles hit Chabahar and Konarak, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported.

Tasnim also cited sources claiming that Iran had launched missiles toward U.S. bases in regional countries, though the report has not been officially confirmed yet.

In a Tuesday post on social media platform X, CENTCOM said U.S. forces have begun striking IRGC targets, adding, "The strikes follow recent attempted attacks by the IRGC against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against American service members deployed to the region."