Several explosions were heard on Qeshm Island in southern Iran overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, and local sources said the sounds came from the sea. Iranian authorities had not, at that time, provided an explanation of the nature or causes of the explosions. Explosions have been heard repeatedly on Qeshm in recent days, including two blasts from the sea heard four days earlier.
Air defence tests and declining shipping traffic
Official sources in Hormozgan province had attributed previous explosions in the area to air defence systems operating as part of tests to assess their capabilities. The developments coincided with rising tensions between Iran and the United States in the Strait of Hormuz and disruptions to shipping through the waterway. Preliminary data from Kpler showed four ships passing through the strait on Monday, compared with 10 the previous day.
Tehran and Muscat have for some time been holding talks on an agreement to manage shipping through the strait. Iran says traffic will not return to its previous levels and has also raised the possibility of imposing service fees on passing vessels, a proposal opposed by several Gulf countries and the United States.
