In what appears to be a further escalation of US strikes, explosions were reported late on Tuesday, September 1, in Konarak and Chabahar in southeastern Iran, as well as Bandar Abbas in the south, according to IRGC-linked Telegram channels and local media reports. Iranian authorities had not officially confirmed the reports at the time of writing.
However, the US Central Command confirmed on X, “Today at 12 p.m. ET, US forces began striking Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets in Iran. The strikes follow recent attempted attacks by the IRGC against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against American service members deployed to the region.”
The local media reported that more than five explosions were heard around Masan village in Qeshm. Additionally, four explosions were heard from the direction of the Strait of Hormuz in Qeshm. Al Arabiya reported explosion sounds at the Qeshm Airport.
According to the Deputy of Political, Security, and Social Affairs of Hormozgan Province, so far, no impacts or incidents have been reported there.
Axios also quoted US officials as saying the US air force is striking targets around the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Jerusalem also issued a security alert urging American citizens in the Middle East to exercise greater vigilance due to the potential escalation of tensions, flight cancellations, and airspace closures. The embassy warned: The Islamic Republic and its supporting groups may target US interests abroad.
Iran had denounced US’ ill intentions
Earlier in the day, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei had denounced the US’ “ill intentions” against Iran, adding that Iran was justified in its retaliatory strikes on Sunday, August 30.
“The United States, in their war, their assault, and their aggression against Iran, is targeting all our interests,” he told reporters during a press conference.
He said that the Sunday night strikes on Larak Island prove that the US “keeps committing violations” and that Iran “was justified in its response”. Two people were killed and several others injured in the strike.
