Iran has been rocked by a series of explosions in two cities, leaving five people dead and 14 others injured. According to Iranian officials, a residential building in the port city of Bandar Abbas was hit by a blast, killing one person and injuring 14 others. The Fire Brigade authorities have stated that the explosion occurred due to a gas leak in the building.
In a separate incident, a residential building in the city of Ahvaz was also hit by a blast, killing four members of the same family. Iranian officials have said that the explosion occurred in a four-story building due to a gas leak. Three children and a woman were rescued from the debris of the building.
The explosions occurred in the afternoon in the southern part of Bandar Abbas, a major port city in Iran. All residents of the affected building have been evacuated. Iranian media has shared videos of the explosion and has denied reports that the explosion was a targeted attack on a Revolutionary Guard naval commander.
The blasts caused significant damage to several floors of the residential building, with a car seen crashing into another building. Israel has denied involvement in the explosions, with an Israeli official stating that Israel is not involved in the blasts in Iranian cities.
In other news, a close associate of the main accused in the murder case of Bangladesh’s young politician Sharif Uddin Ahmed has confessed to the crime. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that an American attack on Iran could escalate into a regional conflict.
In the UK, a woman was stabbed to death in London’s Wandsworth, with police arresting a 30-year-old man in connection with the murder. The Afghan embassy in the US has announced that it will close its operations in June 2026.
US President Donald Trump has stated that he wants to continue talks with Iran and achieve a positive outcome. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called on Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, to testify before the US Congress. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that Iran is willing to negotiate a fair and balanced nuclear deal that includes guarantees on the prohibition and removal of nuclear weapons.
In India, a 45-year-old man was hospitalized after taking medication for HIV prevention advised by an AI chatbot without consulting a doctor. The latest files released by the US Department of Justice in the Jeffrey Epstein case include an email mentioning Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Pakistani government has given conditional permission to the national team to participate in the T20 World Cup. A close associate of the main accused in the murder case of Bangladesh’s young politician Sharif Uddin Ahmed has confessed to the crime. The Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, has announced a hunger strike outside the Sindh Assembly from February 14.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that an American attack on Iran could escalate into a regional conflict. The Pakistani national team has scored 207 runs in 20 overs, losing six wickets. Saif Ali and Babar Azam have scored half-centuries. The Pakistan cricket team has unveiled its jersey for the T20 World Cup.
