Explosions in Iran: US denies reports of strikes

Late on July 9, reports emerged from Iran of explosions in several cities in the south of the country. The US denied involvement, suggesting that the strikes may have been carried out by the air forces of Bahrain and Kuwait. The governor of Bushehr province stated that authorities are investigating the causes of the explosions. Earlier, the US had carried out strikes on Iran for two consecutive nights.

Late on Thursday, July 9, reports began coming from Iran about the activation of air defense systems and explosions in the cities of Bandar Abbas, Ahvaz, Shiraz, and Bushehr, as well as the elimination of an IRGC advisor in Ahvaz. A US official told CNN that American armed forces are not currently striking Iran. According to unofficial reports, the strikes may have been carried out by the air forces of Bahrain and Kuwait, which had previously been attacked from Iran. The governor of Bushehr province said authorities are investigating the causes of the explosions. Earlier, the US had struck Iran for two consecutive nights, hitting over 170 targets, resulting in 14 deaths and 78 injuries according to Iranian data. Qatar and Pakistan are trying to bring the parties back to the negotiating table. President Trump has not made any public statements. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held talks with his counterparts from Oman and Turkey, emphasizing the importance of diplomacy. Iran intensified its rocket attacks, launching ten rockets at Jordan, eight of which were intercepted. The funeral procession for the body of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei arrived in Mashhad; his son Mojtaba Khamenei, appointed as the new Supreme Leader, did not appear in public due to injury. Israel is monitoring events, but the chances of the IDF entering the war are low.