Iran reported fresh explosions across parts of its south on Thursday as the country entered a third consecutive day of strikes. While the cause of the latest blasts was not immediately known, multiple US officials said American forces were not conducting military operations inside Iran at the time.
Blasts reported in Bushehr and Konarak
According to Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency, explosions were heard in several southern locations, including Bushehr, Choghadak and the port city of Konarak.
Also Read | Iran targets US bases in Gulf, Trump says ‘This is in retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships by Iran’
Bushehr Deputy Governor Ehsan Jahanian confirmed that explosions were heard in Bushehr and Choghadak, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. However, authorities have not yet determined what triggered the incidents.
US President Donald Trump: “We had 111 missiles shot by the Islamic Republic of Japan. They were shot at the aircraft carrier over a period of about one hour.” pic.twitter.com/LU0LrluZy6
— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) July 8, 2026
Jahanian said officials were examining whether the sounds were caused by Iranian air defence systems, an enemy projectile striking the area, or an enemy drone being intercepted.
Mehr reported that two explosions were heard around Bushehr, home to Iran’s nuclear power plant, and nearby Choghadak. The report did not mention any casualties or damage.
The agency also said three explosions were reported in Konarak, located on Iran’s Makran coast. No official details were immediately available on the cause of those blasts or their impact.
Several heavy airstrikes hit Iran in the past few hours.
— Steve Hanke (@steve_hanke) July 9, 2026
According to an unnamed senior U.S. defense official, these strikes were not carried out by the United States.
If not the U.S., then who?
Three guesses, and the first two don't count. pic.twitter.com/A12WkbZm1B
US distances itself from latest incidents
The fresh explosions come amid heightened tensions after two earlier rounds of strikes that Washington acknowledged carrying out. The US had said those attacks were launched in response to Iranian actions targeting shipping vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
This time, however, American officials denied any involvement.
Sources familiar with the matter told Al Arabiya English that the US military was not striking targets in Iran. A US official also told CNN that the US military was not currently conducting strikes.
Also Read | At least seven explosions reported across southern Iran amid soaring regional tensions
An Israeli official also told the broadcaster that they were “not familiar with any Israeli involvement in strikes in Iran right now.”
Separately, i24NEWS, citing a US official, reported that American forces were not carrying out strikes. Another US official told Al Jazeera that the US military had not conducted strikes in Iran in the past few hours.
The latest developments also come after CNN reported that Israel had sought approval from US President Donald Trump to imminently resume Israeli attacks on Iran, citing senior Israeli officials.
FAQs:
Where were the latest explosions reported in Iran?
Explosions were reported in Bushehr, Choghadak and Konarak in southern Iran.
Did the US claim responsibility for the latest explosions?
No. US officials said American forces were not conducting strikes in Iran at the time.