At least five people have been killed and more than a dozen others injured following two blasts in southern and southwestern Iran, state and local media reported on Saturday, in incidents that authorities say are unrelated but are now under investigation.

In the southwestern city of Ahvaz, a powerful explosion tore through a four‑unit residential complex in the Kianshahr neighborhood, killing four people and leaving several others wounded. Local officials told Mehr News Agency that the blast was caused by a leak in the city’s gas network, which triggered the explosion late Saturday morning. Emergency responders and firefighters worked into the evening to control fires and assist residents affected by the blast.

In the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, an explosion in an eight‑story residential building off Moallem Boulevard killed a four‑year‑old girl and injured about 14 people, Iranian state media reported. The blast damaged parts of the building and shattered windows across nearby blocks, and more than ten vehicles parked in the area were damaged to varying degrees.

Authorities have not yet determined the exact cause of the Bandar Abbas explosion; while some initial speculation on social media suggested the incident may have targeted a senior military figure, officials denied these claims and reiterated that no evidence of a deliberate attack has emerged.

Both incidents occurred amid heightened regional tensions — including recent exchanges between Tehran and Washington — though Iranian officials have so far stressed that neither blast appears to be linked to foreign military action. State emergency agencies have launched formal inquiries into both explosions to determine their precise causes and to assess whether systemic safety lapses played a role.

Hospitals in Ahvaz and Bandar Abbas reported receiving dozens of patients with injuries ranging from minor cuts and burns to more serious blast‑related trauma. Local authorities have urged residents living in older buildings or areas with aging infrastructure to exercise caution and report any signs of gas leaks or structural damage to municipal services.

Iran’s civil defense and crisis management agencies said they are coordinating with utility providers to review safety checks on gas networks and urban facilities nationwide, as officials attempt to prevent similar tragedies in the future. (ILKHA)