Multiple explosions were reported on Iran’s Qeshm Island on Monday, according to the state-run IRNA news agency, although their cause remains unknown.
IRNA news agency reported that five explosions were heard on Qeshm Island, with additional blasts also reported in the nearby port city of Bandar Lengeh. The agency further said that residents on the island had noticed two aircraft flying overhead.
Authorities have yet to provide an official explanation for the reported explosions, and no information about possible casualties has emerged so far.
Tehran alleges fresh US drone interceptions
The reports surfaced amid heightened tensions following claims by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force that it had shot down three US drones near the Strait of Hormuz, including what it described as the 55th MQ-9 military drone.
According to Iranian state broadcaster Press TV, the IRGC also claimed that two US MQM-170 reconnaissance drones were intercepted south of Qeshm Island using electronic warfare technology. The alleged interceptions brought the total number of captured drones of this model to four, the broadcaster reported.
In a separate announcement, the IRGC Aerospace Force said it had also intercepted and destroyed a US MQ-9 drone east of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump signals progress in Iran talks
The latest development came hours after Donald Trump indicated that a possible agreement with Iran could be within reach.
On Monday, the US president suggested that diplomatic efforts were making progress towards preventing a renewed conflict, while Tehran confirmed that “intensive” negotiations were taking place. Iran also expressed willingness to reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, although it attached strict conditions to the proposal.
Taking to Truth Social a day before the crucial US midterm elections, Trump expressed optimism about the prospects of reaching an agreement, writing that a deal with Tehran “could happen.”
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He further claimed that “Iran wants a settlement, as soon as possible.”
Iran ties Strait of Hormuz reopening to concessions
A senior Iranian official indicated that Tehran could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within the next two days, provided Washington agrees to a series of conditions put forward by Iran. The waterway serves as a crucial export route for energy supplies from the oil-rich Gulf region.
“The possibility of implementing this plan in two days is another indication of Iran’s good-faith approach,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei told reporters during a briefing.
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Iran had previously presented a seven-day proposal in September, offering to restore access to the strait in exchange for several concessions from the United States. These included ending hostilities across all fronts, releasing frozen Iranian assets, removing oil-related sanctions and lifting the US blockade of Iranian ports.
(With ANI and AFP report inputs)
