Explosions Reported in Iranian Cities and Qeshm Island Amid US Strikes

Reports from Iranian media indicate that a series of explosions were heard in several cities and on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz on July 24, 2026, as the United States launched new strikes against Iran.

According to TASS — English, citing Iran’s IRIB news agency, explosions were heard in the cities of Bandar Abbas and Omidiyeh, as well as on Qeshm Island. Another report from TASS — English, citing Mehr news agency, added that an explosion was also heard in the southwestern city of Ahvaz. Both TASS reports noted that the US Central Command (CENTCOM) had announced the start of a new wave of strikes on Iran.

The Jerusalem Post provided additional details, reporting that an explosion occurred near Mesen, a village on the southern coast of Qeshm. Citing the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency, the report stated that two US missiles caused the explosion, with authorities still investigating the damage. Residents also reported explosions south of the Larak and Hengam Islands, close to the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Jerusalem Post.

Additionally, the Jerusalem Post noted that Iranian state media outlet IRIB reported on X/Twitter that an American Tomahawk missile had been intercepted and destroyed over the central Iranian city of Kahnuj. CENTCOM has not responded to this claim, according to the report.

The Jerusalem Post linked these events to earlier US strikes in July, which were described as aimed at degrading Iran's ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the Strait of Hormuz, as per a CENTCOM statement cited by the outlet.

Coverage Comparison

The reports from the Jerusalem Post and TASS — English overlap on the general occurrence of explosions in Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island but differ in specific locations. The Jerusalem Post provides more granular detail, including the village of Mesen, the Larak and Hengam Islands, and the city of Kahnuj, while TASS — English adds Omidiyeh and Ahvaz to the list of affected areas.

Both sources attribute the explosions to US strikes, with TASS — English directly citing CENTCOM’s announcement of a new wave of strikes, and the Jerusalem Post referencing earlier US statements about degrading Iranian capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz. The Jerusalem Post also includes a claim from Iranian state media about an intercepted Tomahawk missile, a detail not present in the TASS — English reports.

Key Claims

  • An explosion was heard near Mesen, a village on the southern coast of Qeshm in the Strait of Hormuz, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
  • Two US missiles caused the explosion according to the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency, as carried by the Jerusalem Post.
  • Explosions were reported south of the Larak and Hengam Islands, close to the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Jerusalem Post.
  • An American Tomahawk missile was intercepted and destroyed over the central Iranian city of Kahnuj, as reported by Iranian state media IRIB and cited by the Jerusalem Post.
  • US strikes aimed to degrade Iran's ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the Strait of Hormuz, per a CENTCOM statement cited by the Jerusalem Post.
  • An explosion was heard in the city of Ahvaz in southwestern Iran, as reported by TASS — English citing Mehr news agency.
  • Explosions were heard near the Iranian city of Bandar Abbas and the island of Qeshm in the Strait of Hormuz, as reported by TASS — English citing Mehr news agency.
  • The US launched another series of strikes against Iran, as announced by CENTCOM and reported by TASS — English.
  • A series of explosions was heard in the Iranian cities of Bandar Abbas and Omidiyeh, and on Qeshm Island, as reported by TASS — English citing IRIB news agency.
  • US Central Command announced the start of its new wave of strikes on Iran, as reported by TASS — English.