Tehran, Iran – Iran’s Revolutionary Guard denied reports Saturday evening that the commander of the Iranian navy, Ali Reza Tangsiri, had been assassinated, asserting that the claims were “baseless.” In a brief statement, the Revolutionary Guard said, “The reports of the assassination of the Iranian navy commander are completely false,” describing the circulating information as “mere rumors.”
This denial comes at a time when Iran has witnessed sporadic security incidents. On Saturday, an explosion occurred in a building in the port city of Bandar Abbas on the Persian Gulf coast, according to official media reports, which have yet to reveal the cause of the blast. Iranian state television reported that the explosion struck an eight-story building, destroying two floors and damaging several vehicles and shops in the vicinity of Moallem Avenue in the southern city. It added that rescue and firefighting teams rushed to the scene to provide assistance.
In a separate incident, Iranian state television reported that four people were killed and another injured in a gas explosion in the southwestern city of Ahvaz. The head of the Ahvaz Fire and Safety Services Department stated that the explosion occurred inside a residential building in the Kianshahr neighborhood, confirming that fire and rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the scene to begin rescue operations. The official added that “the removal of debris is still ongoing cautiously and will continue until all those who may be trapped under the rubble have been located.”
This comes amid escalating tensions, with senior US military officials claiming that President Donald Trump may authorize an attack on Iran as early as Sunday. According to a report by the independent news site DropSite News, the attacks could begin within hours if Washington decides to proceed. The report indicates that potential targets extend beyond nuclear and missile facilities to include high-ranking Iranian officials. The report quotes a former US intelligence official who advised the Trump administration, stating that the plan focuses on “decapitating” the Iranian leadership, particularly by weakening the capabilities and command of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The US administration believes that a major strike against the leadership could incite public unrest and topple the government.
