‘It was back-to-back explosions’: Iranians recall 48 hours of terror after US attack on port cities
Residents in southern Iran have described two nights of fear this week after explosions shook coastal communities as the US launched fresh strikes on targets including the port cities of Bandar Abbas and Sirik.
US Central Command confirmed the attacks, saying they were carried out to “further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the strait of Hormuz”.
For residents in Posht-e Shahr, Bandar Abbas, back-to-back explosions marked another night of terror as they scrambled to check on friends and family. Noor, a teacher who lives near the fishing pier, said this week’s strikes were stronger than most in recent months.
“Right now there’s calm, but last night and the night before were terrifying. It was around 1am or so that I heard back-to-back explosions – at least 10. There were perhaps also the sounds of the air defences. We have a little cat at home. He was so scared and hid under the bed,” said Noor, who like the other residents, asked to use a pseudonym.
The 40-year-old said fear is growing that the attacks may continue. At sunset, she feels increasingly unsettled about what the night may bring. “My biggest fear is for the fishermen. I live very close to the pier, and I know there were so many boats there with just fishermen trying to start early because it’s getting hot early in the morning.”
“I found out that many more have been injured in last night’s strikes, and several are dead. I am really worried that this time the impact will be worse for civilians,” she said.
Iranian authorities say at least 14 people have been killed in attacks over the past two days, with more than 78 injured. The fresh strikes also hit Sirik, another port city about 180km from Bandar Abbas.
For those living in villages around Sirik, this week’s strikes have compounded existing challenges, including water shortages – which were exacerbated by US attacks on two water storage facilities. Those strikes have reportedly affected more than 20,000 civilians.
Mina, 41, a mother of two, has been rationing water and paying for water cans for daily chores in the days since June’s attacks. She says further strikes would worsen already dire living conditions as temperatures rise above 45C.
“We have a water shortage every year, but last month’s attacks on the drinking water plants mean we need to not only prepare for yearly water crises during summer but also for any new attacks like the one last night. Everyone is fearful, especially since we have been regularly targeted,” she adds.
Many families rely on fishing and maritime work, and leaving in the face of a full-blown war would be a difficult decision, Mina says. “We can afford to leave for a few days, but not for a long time, and at this point we have no idea what to prepare for. We feel abandoned and in the dark.”
Asked what her friends and family intend to do if the conflict escalates, Noor says: “We have to stay here because our livelihoods depend on it. I am afraid they [the regime] will once again shut down the internet completely if the war begins.”
After an 88-day internet blackout imposed by Iranian authorities, connectivity was partially restored in May, but many people had by then already lost their income.
Ahead of another night of anxiety, the residents said there was little hope the ceasefire will hold.
Mohsen, another resident of Bandar Abbas, saidhe felt hopeless and insecure. “When the ceasefire happened, I felt that perhaps peace and calm could return to our lives, and we had started working on healing our psychological trauma. But then the bombings have started again, and the feelings of despair, hopelessness and insecurity have become stronger,” he wrote.
Mohsen described being trapped in a cycle of endless unanswered questions. “What will happen after this? How are we supposed to plan for the continuation of our lives? How long are we going to remain in this terrifying state of limbo?”
Read the full story at The Guardian ↗
The US carried out military strikes targeting Iranian port cities Bandar Abbas and Sirik. US Central Command stated the operations aimed to degrade Iran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials reported 14 deaths and 78+ injuries over two nights of attacks. Residents in these areas described experiencing multiple explosions around 1am local time. Local sources cited concern about continued strikes, economic disruption to fishing-dependent communities, and compounded hardship from earlier attacks on water facilities that affected over 20,000 civilians. Some residents expressed uncertainty about whether to remain in the region or relocate, given economic dependence on maritime work and prior internet shutdowns that caused income loss.
Read the full story at The Guardian ↗
Residents in southern Iran have described two nights of fear this week after explosions shook coastal communities as the US launched fresh strikes on targets including the port cities of Bandar Abbas and Sirik.
US Central Command confirmed the attacks, saying they were carried out to “further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the strait of Hormuz”.
For residents in Posht-e Shahr, Bandar Abbas, back-to-back explosions marked another night of terror as they scrambled to check on friends and family. Noor, a teacher who lives near the fishing pier, said this week’s strikes were stronger than most in recent months.
“Right now there’s calm, but last night and the night before were terrifying. It was around 1am or so that I heard back-to-back explosions – at least 10. There were perhaps also the sounds of the air defences. We have a little cat at home. He was so scared and hid under the bed,” said Noor, who like the other residents, asked to use a pseudonym.
The 40-year-old said fear is growing that the attacks may continue. At sunset, she feels increasingly unsettled about what the night may bring. “My biggest fear is for the fishermen. I live very close to the pier, and I know there were so many boats there with just fishermen trying to start early because it’s getting hot early in the morning.”
“I found out that many more have been injured in last night’s strikes, and several are dead. I am really worried that this time the impact will be worse for civilians,” she said.
Iranian authorities say at least 14 people have been killed in attacks over the past two days, with more than 78 injured. The fresh strikes also hit Sirik, another port city about 180km from Bandar Abbas.
For those living in villages around Sirik, this week’s strikes have compounded existing challenges, including water shortages – which were exacerbated by US attacks on two water storage facilities. Those strikes have reportedly affected more than 20,000 civilians.
Mina, 41, a mother of two, has been rationing water and paying for water cans for daily chores in the days since June’s attacks. She says further strikes would worsen already dire living conditions as temperatures rise above 45C.
“We have a water shortage every year, but last month’s attacks on the drinking water plants mean we need to not only prepare for yearly water crises during summer but also for any new attacks like the one last night. Everyone is fearful, especially since we have been regularly targeted,” she adds.
Many families rely on fishing and maritime work, and leaving in the face of a full-blown war would be a difficult decision, Mina says. “We can afford to leave for a few days, but not for a long time, and at this point we have no idea what to prepare for. We feel abandoned and in the dark.”
Asked what her friends and family intend to do if the conflict escalates, Noor says: “We have to stay here because our livelihoods depend on it. I am afraid they [the regime] will once again shut down the internet completely if the war begins.”
After an 88-day internet blackout imposed by Iranian authorities, connectivity was partially restored in May, but many people had by then already lost their income.
Ahead of another night of anxiety, the residents said there was little hope the ceasefire will hold.
Mohsen, another resident of Bandar Abbas, saidhe felt hopeless and insecure. “When the ceasefire happened, I felt that perhaps peace and calm could return to our lives, and we had started working on healing our psychological trauma. But then the bombings have started again, and the feelings of despair, hopelessness and insecurity have become stronger,” he wrote.
Mohsen described being trapped in a cycle of endless unanswered questions. “What will happen after this? How are we supposed to plan for the continuation of our lives? How long are we going to remain in this terrifying state of limbo?”
Read the full story at The Guardian ↗
US Central Command confirmed carrying out strikes on Iranian port cities Bandar Abbas and Sirik US Central Command stated the strikes were conducted to 'further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the strait of Hormuz' Iranian authorities reported at least 14 people killed and more than 78 injured in attacks over two days Explosions occurred around 1am on two consecutive nights in Bandar Abbas Previous US attacks in June targeted two water storage facilities, affecting over 20,000 civilians in the Sirik region Internet connectivity was partially restored in May after an 88-day blackout imposed by Iranian authorities Local residents described the attacks as 'back-to-back explosions' causing fear and psychological distress Residents characterized the attacks as 'terror' and expressed hopelessness about the future A resident suggested the current strikes represent a worsening impact compared to recent months Residents expressed concern that new attacks could escalate living conditions already strained by seasonal water shortages and prior infrastructure damage
Read the full story at The Guardian ↗
- US Central Command conducted strikes on Iranian port cities Bandar Abbas and Sirik this week, with officials citing degradation of maritime threats in the Strait of Hormuz
- Iranian authorities report at least 14 killed and over 78 injured across the two nights of attacks
- Residents in affected coastal communities expressed fear of escalation, concerns about livelihoods dependent on fishing and maritime work, and strain from previous damage to water infrastructure