Explosions heard on Iran's Qeshm Island and Bandar Abbas as two oil tankers catch fire after hitting mines in Strait of Hormuz

Explosions have been heard in several places in Iran, including Qeshm Island and Bandar Abbas in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian media reported the explosions on Saturday evening local time.

The country's state television said the explosions may be related to Iranian army activity in the Hormuz area. After the blasts, there were fears that US forces might have carried out an attack.

Iranian television said no missile attack had taken place in the region. The semi-official Tasnim news agency, citing a source, reported that the explosion heard on Qeshm Island was not related to any missile attack.

Meanwhile, on Sunday morning the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said two oil tankers struck mines while crossing the Strait of Hormuz on an unauthorised route. The tankers then caught fire.

Reuters reported that it could not be confirmed whether the explosions heard in southern Iran were linked to the tankers that hit the mines.

Since the war between the United States and Iran began last February, commercial ships have come under attack multiple times on this important sea route, through which a large share of the world's oil supply is transported.

After the attacks by the United States and Israel, Iran took control of the Strait of Hormuz. Since then, the country has been obstructing normal shipping through the strait.

Iran now says ships must sail through the route it has designated in Hormuz. In recent days, Revolutionary Guard forces have attacked ships that did not use Iran's route.

Saturday evening's explosions and Sunday morning's mine strikes on the tankers have once again raised tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. Concerns are growing over the safety of shipping, and the world is watching closely to see where the situation heads next.