Explosions in Southern Iran, Israel Suspected of Attack

Explosions rocked southern Iran, with local media Mehr News reporting three blasts in Konarak, a strategic port area facing the Gulf of Oman. These incidents follow a series of recent attacks targeting various locations across Iran, including airports, logistics networks, and the Bushehr nuclear reactor. Even civilian infrastructure like railway lines in northern Iran have been hit.

The attacks come amid threats from former US President Donald Trump to increase pressure on Iran to return to negotiations. However, Iranian officials have stated they will not yield to such coercion. Previous attacks occurred in Ahvaz, southern Iran's Khuzestan province, coinciding with the funeral procession for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died in February due to actions by the US and Israel.

According to Governor Mohammad Younes Haqqani, fighter jets targeted a naval military zone in Konarak in two waves. He told the IRNA news agency that "the area was targeted by enemy fighter jets in two waves." Rescue teams and security forces were dispatched, and an investigation is underway.

The White House and Pentagon have not commented on the explosions. US media reports, citing an American official, stated the US was not involved. A US defense official confirmed to Al Jazeera that the military had not launched any attacks in Iran recently, but did not elaborate on any potential US involvement in the cause of the explosions, only confirming non-involvement.

Former US Marine Corps officer Dan Grazier told Al Jazeera that it is "very likely" Israel is behind the recent actions in Iran. "It is very likely that Israel is behind whatever military actions are going on right now," he said. "I think we have to wait for confirmation from them. I think the United States, particularly Donald Trump, would acknowledge responsibility if the United States was the perpetrator. But so far, Israel and the United States have been working very closely together throughout this conflict, since the end of February. It is very likely that Israel is responsible for what is happening today."