A series of rapid explosions struck Iran’s southern coast late on Monday, rattling Qeshm Island and the port city of Bandar Lengeh just as United States officials confirmed carrying out what they termed "defensive strikes" in the Strait of Hormuz. The simultaneous reports have intensified fears that renewed hostilities could threaten commercial traffic through one of the world’s most critical maritime transit corridors.
Witnesses on Qeshm Island reported seeing two aircraft flying overhead before several blasts echoed across the island in rapid succession, according to Iran’s state-owned IRNA news agency. Meanwhile, the semi-official Fars news agency reported further explosions heard in Bandar Lengeh, with the sounds originating from the direction of the sea. Iranian state media did not immediately identify the cause of the blasts or confirm any casualties or damage.
In the United States, media outlets including The Wall Street Journal and The Associated Press reported that the US military had conducted targeted strikes against Iranian assets in the waterway. According to officials speaking to the Journal, the operation was designed to limit Iran’s ability to target commercial vessels navigating the strait. One US official noted that the administration had intentionally avoided publicizing the campaign beforehand, seeking to avoid signaling a return to open, large-scale combat operations.