2026 Iran explosions
On 31 January 2026, several explosions took place across Iran.
Background
The explosions took place a few weeks after the 2025–2026 Iranian protests, which started on 28 December 2025 and ended after Iranian authorities shot dead tens of thousands of protesters.Timeline
Jan 31
Bandar Abbas
An explosion took place in Bandar Abbas in an eight-floor building, killing a four-year-old girl and injuring 14. The first to third floors were seriously damaged, as were some cars and a shop, and the building's windows were shattered. A video by an online newspaper showed a man in a green security force uniform and wearing a neck brace being carried out from the damaged building on a stretcher. According to Iran International, the video that showed the security force member being carried out from the building was taken offline by Sobh-e Sahel and its network partners.Unofficial sources stated that Alireza Tangsiri, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval commander, was the target of the explosion. The IRGC-associated Tasnim News Agency denied the claim. Iranian officials and state media stated the explosion was caused by a gas leak. In a video shared after the blast, a local resident claimed that the building was not connected to a gas network.
Other cities
An explosion took place in Ahvaz, killing four people, according to local officials. Tehran Times described the event as a gas explosion.Explosions also occurred in Karaj and in Parand on 31 January 2026.
Reactions
Israeli officials denied responsibility for the explosions in Bandar Abbas and Ahvaz.United States officials also denied involvement.