Iran: Explosions heard in south Iran, U.S. forces claim strikes.

Shotlist FILE: Tehran, Iran - Date Unknown 1. Various of national flags of Iran FILE: Tehran, Iran - April 12, 2026 2. Traffic, national flags of Iran FILE: Tehran, Iran - April 8, 2026 3. Various of traffic, pedestrians, national flags of Iran FILE: Tehran, Iran - April 30, 2026 4. Various of people; booths at bazaar FILE: Bandar Abbas, Iran - March 4, 2026 5. Buildings, empty street, vehicles parked along roadside 6. Empty interior of shopping mall FILE: Washington D.C., USA - May 12, 2020 7. Various of White House FILE: Philadelphia, USA - Oct 2024 8. U.S. national flag FILE: Detroit, Michigan, USA - March 17, 2025 9. Various of buildings Storyline Several explosions were heard Monday night in Iran's southern port city of Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan province, the semi-official Fars news agency reported. The cause of the blasts remains unknown, the report said, adding that similar sounds were heard concurrently in the Gulf near the counties of Sirik and Jask in the same province. Also on Monday, a spokesman for the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said that U.S. forces struck missile launch sites and mine-laying boats in southern Iran in the day. U.S. forces conducted self-defense strikes in southern Iran to protect the troops from threats posed by Iranian forces, said Tim Hawkins, the CENTCOM Spokesman, in a statement. "Targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to emplace mines. U.S. Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire," he said. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland/Al-Arabiya/Persian language TV Stations outside Iran. Strictly No Access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Manoto TV/Iran International/Radio Farda]