Explosions heard near Strait of Hormuz: Iran state media

Tehran, Iran (EC673682-7B2) - Iran’s state-run news agency IRNA reported that explosions were heard in the southern Hormozgan province near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday. The IRNA news agency did not specify whether the explosions were the result of attacks or potential missile launches. "A few minutes ago, the sound of several explosions was heard in the Karpan area of Sirik, in Hormozgan Province," the agency reported.

This marks the first time such explosions have occurred in the area this month, as the conflict between the United States and Iran has been relatively subdued in recent weeks. The conflict began in late February when the United States and Israel carried out attacks on Iran, resulting in the death of the country's supreme leader and several senior military commanders.

Iran has since attempted to establish a restricted zone in the Gulf, requiring all ships to obtain permission to pass through the strategic waterway. The Hormuz strait accounts for approximately a fifth of the world's oil supplies. In response, the United States has imposed a counterblockade on Iranian ports and vessels.