Five people have been killed in two separate explosions in Iran which local officials and state media say were caused by gas leaks. One person was killed and 14 injured in a blast at a residential building in the southern city of Bandar Abbas on the Gulf coast, a local official told Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency. Another explosion killed four people in the south-western city of Ahvaz, the state-run Tehran Times reported.

This incident occurs amidst heightened tensions in the region due to a buildup of US forces and ongoing pressure from the US administration on Iran regarding its nuclear program. Earlier, in Bandar Abbas, state TV reported that an explosion ripped through an eight-storey building, causing significant damage to surrounding infrastructure. Fire department officials confirmed that the blast was caused by a gas leak, with victims being transported to hospitals for treatment.

In Ahvaz, emergency officials successfully rescued a child trapped under debris after the explosion.

Officials are currently investigating the circumstances leading to these tragic events, which have raised alarm over safety regulations and emergency preparedness in the area. As regional tensions continue to simmer, this tragedy highlights the complex challenges faced by local communities in Iran.