DUBAI – Tragedy struck the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas on Saturday when an explosion devastated an apartment building, resulting in the death of a 4-year-old girl. Local media footage appeared to depict rescuers carrying a member of the security forces from the scene.

This incident unfolded just a day before Iran was scheduled to conduct a naval exercise in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway where approximately 20% of the world’s traded oil passes. The U.S. military had already issued a warning to Iran, advising against any threats to its warships or commercial vessels navigating through the strait, where Bandar Abbas is strategically located.

According to state television, the explosion was attributed to a gas leak. Reports indicated that at least 14 individuals sustained injuries when the blast ripped through the eight-story building, shattering windows and scattering debris across the surrounding area.

Sobh-e Sahel, a local newspaper, broadcasted footage capturing the aftermath. In the video, a man dressed in black boots and a green security force uniform was shown being stretchered out, wearing a neck brace and visibly in pain. His left hand obscured the branch insignia on his uniform.

Despite the footage, the newspaper did not mention the rescue of the security force member in its reports. Meanwhile, Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard remained silent about the explosion, except to refute claims that a naval commander from the Guard had been injured.

Coincidentally, on the same day, another explosion attributed to a gas leak occurred in the southwestern city of Ahvaz, resulting in the deaths of five people, as reported by state media.

It comes as Iran remains tense over a threat by U.S. President Donald Trump to potentially launch a military strike on the country over the killing of peaceful protesters or the possible mass execution of those detained in a major crackdown over the demonstrations.

Ali Larijani, a top security official in Iran, wrote on X late Saturday that “structural arrangements for negotiations are progressing.” However, there is no public sign of any talks with the United States, which Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has repeatedly ruled out.