Explosions have been reported near the Strait of Hormuz, raising fresh concerns about the security of one of the world's most critical energy transit routes.
The Iranian news agency Mehr reported the blasts on Monday, citing media outlets and private individuals who heard detonations near the port city of Bandar Abbas and the nearby island of Qeshm.
The identity of those responsible for the explosions remains unclear.
However, the reports emerge against a backdrop of heightened military activity, with both the United States and Iran exchanging fire overnight.
This escalation adds a new layer of volatility to an already tense situation in the Persian Gulf.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital chokepoint for global energy supplies, with roughly a fifth of the world's oil passing through it daily.