Explosion at Iran's Southern Port of Bandar Abbas Kills One, Hurts 14

Smoke rises from a fire caused by an explosion in Tehran (File photo - Reuters)
Smoke rises from a fire caused by an explosion in Tehran (File photo - Reuters)
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Explosion at Iran's Southern Port of Bandar Abbas Kills One, Hurts 14

Smoke rises from a fire caused by an explosion in Tehran (File photo - Reuters)
Smoke rises from a fire caused by an explosion in Tehran (File photo - Reuters)

At least one person was killed and 14 injured in ​an explosion in the southern Iranian port of Bandar Abbas on Saturday, a local official told Iranian news agencies, but the cause of the blast was not known.

The semi-official Tasnim news agency said that social media reports alleging that a Revolutionary Guard navy commander had been targeted in the explosion were "completely false".

Iranian media said the blast was under ‌investigation but provided ‌no further information. Iranian authorities could ‌not immediately ⁠be ​contacted ‌for comment.
Separately, four people were killed after a gas explosion in the city of Ahvaz near the Iraqi border, according to state-run Tehran Times. No further information was immediately available.

Two Israeli officials told Reuters that Israel was not involved in Saturday's blasts, which come amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington over Iran's ⁠crackdown on nationwide protests and over the country's nuclear program.

US President Donald Trump ‌said on Thursday an "armada" was heading toward ‍Iran. Multiple sources said on ‍Friday that Trump was weighing options against Iran that include ‍targeted strikes on security forces.

Bandar ​Abbas, home to Iran's most important container port, lies on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway ⁠between Iran and Oman which handles about a fifth of the world's seaborne oil.

The port suffered a major explosion last April that killed dozens and injured over 1,000 people. An investigative committee at the time blamed the blast on shortcomings in adherence to principles of civil defense and security.
 



NATO Chief to Meet Trump Amid Iran Tensions

 NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte gives a press conference about NATO's general annual report in Brussels on March 26, 2026. (AFP)
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte gives a press conference about NATO's general annual report in Brussels on March 26, 2026. (AFP)
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NATO Chief to Meet Trump Amid Iran Tensions

 NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte gives a press conference about NATO's general annual report in Brussels on March 26, 2026. (AFP)
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte gives a press conference about NATO's general annual report in Brussels on March 26, 2026. (AFP)

NATO chief Mark Rutte will meet Donald Trump next week on a visit to Washington, as the US president lashes out at the alliance over the Iran war, NATO said Friday.

Trump has suggested he is considering quitting the 77-year-old military alliance due to the response by European nations to his war.

The US leader has criticized NATO members for limiting access for American forces to bases on their territories and refusing to lead efforts to open the Strait of Hormuz.

NATO said that Rutte will meet Trump on April 8 and will also see Secretary of State Marco Rubio and defense chief Pete Hegseth.

The alliance chief will give a speech on April 9 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Institute.

Former Dutch prime minister Rutte has been dubbed a "Trump whisperer" for his ability to keep the US leader onside throughout a string of crises since he returned to office last year.

Rutte has insisted that Trump has made NATO stronger by getting European countries to agree to ramp up defense spending.


US Fighter Jet Shot Down Over Iran, Search Underway for Crew, US Official Says

14 September 2025, Puerto Rico, Ceiba: A Lockheed Martin F-35B fighter jet of the US Marines flies over the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station. (dpa)
14 September 2025, Puerto Rico, Ceiba: A Lockheed Martin F-35B fighter jet of the US Marines flies over the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station. (dpa)
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US Fighter Jet Shot Down Over Iran, Search Underway for Crew, US Official Says

14 September 2025, Puerto Rico, Ceiba: A Lockheed Martin F-35B fighter jet of the US Marines flies over the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station. (dpa)
14 September 2025, Puerto Rico, Ceiba: A Lockheed Martin F-35B fighter jet of the US Marines flies over the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station. (dpa)

A US fighter jet was shot down over Iran and a search and rescue operation was underway for any survivors, a US official told Reuters on Friday, in the first such ‌known incident ‌since the US ‌launched its ⁠war with Iran ⁠on February 28.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not offer further details.

The Pentagon and US ⁠Central Command did not ‌respond ‌to requests for comment.

The prospect of ‌US pilots being alive ‌and on the run inside Iran during an ongoing conflict greatly raises the stakes for ‌the United States in the conflict. Iranian ⁠officials ⁠called on civilians to be on the lookout for survivors.

The governor of Iran's Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province said whomever captured or killed the crew "would be specially commended," according to the semi-official Iranian news agency ISNA.


Ukraine Says Russia Fired Hundreds of Drones, Missiles in ‘Massive’ Daytime Attack

 People relax at the Gryshko National Botanical Garden in Kyiv on April 1, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (AFP)
People relax at the Gryshko National Botanical Garden in Kyiv on April 1, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (AFP)
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Ukraine Says Russia Fired Hundreds of Drones, Missiles in ‘Massive’ Daytime Attack

 People relax at the Gryshko National Botanical Garden in Kyiv on April 1, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (AFP)
People relax at the Gryshko National Botanical Garden in Kyiv on April 1, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (AFP)

Kyiv and its surrounding region on Friday faced pummeling by Russian missiles and drones, officials said, the latest in an increasing number of daytime attacks on Ukraine.

"The Kyiv region is once again under a massive enemy missile and drone attack," said regional governor Mykola Kalashnyk.

One person died in the attacks, he added.

The barrage prompted emergency power outages in several regions, energy operator Ukrenergo announced.

Russia launched almost 500 drones and missiles over Ukraine, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said.

"Terrorist Russia strikes in broad daylight deliberately -- to maximize civilian casualties and damage," Sybiga said.

"This is how Moscow responds to Ukraine's Easter ceasefire proposals -- with brutal attacks," he added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv was ready for a truce over the Easter holidays, but the Kremlin said it had not received any proposals.

Ukraine accuses Russia of deliberately prolonging the war to capture more Ukrainian territory and says Moscow is not genuinely interested in peace.

Talks between the two warring parties, mediated by the United States, have been stalled by the war in the Middle East.

Zelensky said he had invited an American delegation to Kyiv to relaunch negotiations with Moscow.

"The American group can come to us and, after us, go to Moscow. If it does not work out with three parties, let's do it this way," Zelensky said, in remarks made public Friday.