3 weeks ago
Explosions in Iran near Strait of Hormuz amid reopening talks
On Thursday night, people near a very important waterway called the Strait of Hormuz heard two big loud booms.
The Iranian military said the booms happened when it confronted 'enemy targets' near the entrance to the waterway.
A news group called Tasnim reported the noise and said we would hear more details soon.
But a local official, Mr. Ahmad Nafisi, said no attack happened on the nearby island of Qeshm or the city of Bandar Abbas.
He said leaders are still checking what caused the sounds.
Around the same time, Iran and the country of Oman talked about letting ships travel through the Strait of Hormuz again.
Iran had closed the waterway to some ships in February.
Their plan would let ships use the strait for 60 days.
Ships going in would stay near Iran, and ships leaving would stay near Oman.
No one would have to pay extra fees for passing through.
Two explosions were heard Thursday night on Iran's Qeshm Island, with Tasnim news agency reporting they resulted from Iranian forces' confrontation with 'hostile enemy targets' at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz.
The explosions occurred around 21:40 local time (1810 GMT), and Tasnim said details of the naval confrontation's 'achievements' would be announced in the coming hours.
Hormozgan Deputy Governor Ahmad Nafisi said no strike or incident was reported on Qeshm Island or Bandar Abbas, with authorities investigating the cause.
Iran and Oman reportedly reached an understanding on the outlines of an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days, pending approval by Iran's Supreme National Security Council.
Under the reported deal, inbound vessels would use a route near Iran and outbound vessels one near Oman, with no transit fees, and the United States and Iran could reactivate their peace memorandum of understanding.
- Who
- Iranian armed forces, Hormozgan officials, Tasnim news agency, and the governments of Iran, Oman, and the United States
- What
- Two explosions linked to a confrontation with 'hostile enemy targets', alongside a reported Iran-Oman understanding to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days
- Where
- Qeshm Island, Hormozgan province, Iran, at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz
- When
- Thursday night, around 21:40 local time (1810 GMT)
- Why
- Iranian forces reported confronting hostile targets, and the strait had been closed to Israeli- and US-affiliated vessels since Feb. 28 following joint strikes on Iranian territory
Tasnim / Armed Forces Account
Provincial Official Account
Cause of Thursday's explosions
Tasnim / Armed Forces Account
Tasnim reported that the explosions resulted from Iranian armed forces' confrontation with 'hostile enemy targets' at the Strait of Hormuz entrance, with the naval forces' 'achievements' to be announced soon.
Provincial Official Account
Deputy Governor Ahmad Nafisi said no strike or incident was reported on Qeshm Island or Bandar Abbas, and that authorities are carrying out investigations to identify the cause.
Key facts
- Explosions
- Two heard on Qeshm Island
- Location
- Qeshm Island, Hormozgan province, Iran
- Time
- Around 21:40 local time (1810 GMT), Thursday
- Reported cause
- Confrontation with 'hostile enemy targets' per Tasnim
- Strait closure
- Iran barred Israeli- and US-affiliated vessels since Feb. 28
- Reopening proposal
- Iran-Oman understanding for a 60-day reopening
- Approval needed
- Iran's Supreme National Security Council
Quotes
Ahmad Nafisi
Deputy governor for political, security and social affairs of Hormozgan province
“No strike or incident had been reported on Qeshm Island and the provincial capital Bandar Abbas. The relevant authorities are carrying out the necessary investigations to identify the cause of the explosions.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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