Iranian officials have denied reports of explosions in several locations across Iran where blasts were reported, according to i24NEWS journalist Amichai Stein. The denial follows a series of similar denials from Iranian sources over the past hours.
At 22:18 Jerusalem, Iranian state broadcaster IRIB directly denied reports of explosions in the southern cities of Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, Sirik, and Jask, according to i24NEWS journalist Amichai Stein. The denial is the latest in a series of official Iranian statements rejecting reports of strikes or explosions, following earlier denials from Tasnim news agency, the Qeshm governor, and other officials. This wave of denials comes after over an hour of unverified reports of explosions across Iran, which The Zioneer has been tracking since 21:01 Jerusalem.
The Zioneer's reporting on the explosions began at 21:01 Jerusalem with a report from security analyst Yair Goldblatt of explosions in Bushehr. Subsequent updates at the same timestamp reported a third consecutive night of explosions in southern Iran, unverified reports of US strikes, and then CENTCOM's confirmation at 21:01 that widespread strikes were underway. By 21:01, reports indicated at least 14 killed and 78 wounded, with a US official denying US involvement. The thread shows a rapid escalation from unverified reports to official US confirmation, while Iranian sources consistently denied the explosions.
As The Zioneer reported earlier, Iranian officials have a pattern of denying explosion reports during periods of tension. On June 10, the governor of Qeshm Island denied blasts there, and on June 11, Tasnim news agency attributed sounds on Kish and Qeshm to a naval engagement. Similar denials were issued for Tabriz, Bushehr, and Kharg Island.
The cause and exact nature of the reported explosions remain unverified. While CENTCOM confirmed US strikes are underway, there is no independent confirmation of explosions at the specific locations denied by Iranian officials. The discrepancy between the denials and the confirmed US military activity remains unresolved.
10 developments
- StrongFresh explosions reported in southern Iran, per local sources
- ConfirmedSecurity analyst says strikes in southern Iran hit usual targets, excluding Ahvaz
- StrongSecurity analyst reports attacks in Bandar Lengeh and Bandar Abbas, southern Iran
- StrongNew explosion sites in southern Iran match those hit in earlier US strikes, observer says
Source and signal
- Internal intake