TEHRAN, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Several explosions were heard Monday night in Iran's southern provinces, Iranian media reported.

Smoke from an explosion rises behind demonstrators attending the annual anti-Israeli Quds Day, or Jerusalem Day, rally in support of Palestinians in Tehran, Iran, Friday, March 13, 2026. (Photo: AP)

Four explosions were heard east of the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, according to the official news agency IRNA.

The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported six explosions in the southeastern counties of Chabahar and Konarak in Sistan and Baluchestan province, adding the air defense system has been activated in Bandar Abbas.

Tasnim cited local sources as saying that a number of "violating" vessels have been targeted in the Strait of Hormuz.

However, the state-run IRIB news agency said that, despite reports circulating on social media, no explosions occurred Monday night in Bandar Abbas, the counties of Sirik and Jask, or the southern islands of Hengam, Larak and Qeshm.

Earlier in the day, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps said in a statement that the air defense of its aerospace division had shot down two LUCAS drones belonging to the United States in southern Iran.