Amid the ongoing US-Iran military confrontation in West Asia, sounds of a series of massive explosions have echoed in the Iranian coastal areas located at the mouth of the Persian Gulf and the strategic Strait of Hormuz. According to Iran's state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) and local media reports, several loud explosions were reported near the major coastal cities of Hormozgan province—Sirik and Minab, as well as the strategic Qeshm Island. The local provincial administration of Hormozgan (Hormozgan Governorate) while giving a preliminary statement on these incidents said that these explosions heard in Qishm and surrounding areas appear to have originated from the sea. However, Iranian officials have not yet shared official details regarding the exact cause of these explosions, including any air defense interception or direct attack on military targets. Flame reaches Saudi Arabia's King Fahd Air Base: High alert on military bases Parallel to the commotion in Iranian coastal areas, reports of explosions and massive blasts have also emerged near major military installations of Saudi Arabia. According to defense sources and international news agencies, sounds of loud explosions were heard around Saudi Arabia's strategic King Fahd Air Base. Regional analysts believe Yemen's Houthi rebels and Iran-backed militia groups are trying to target regional bases supporting US operations in the Gulf. After these explosions near the Saudi airbase, the Saudi Defense Forces have fully activated their air defense system and a red alert has been issued on nearby military and energy installations. Trump's sensational claim: 'The war will end immediately after the US midterm elections' Amidst this unexpected military tension, US President Donald Trump has made a big claim while talking to reporters before leaving for the Republican Party's midterm conference held in Dallas, Texas. Trump said that the ongoing war against Iran will end immediately after the midterm elections to be held in America on November 3. Trump said that Tehran is now on the verge of collapse militarily and economically. He accused Iran of making a desperate attempt to influence US elections and prolong the conflict in the hope of a weak administration in Washington, which would remove international pressure on it and allow it to develop nuclear weapons. Trump said bluntly, "They just want nuclear weapons, and if they get nuclear weapons, the whole world will be in great trouble. After the elections, Iran will have no option to survive."
Washington is in no hurry to reach an agreement: Claims to have destroyed 9 Iranian tankers On the question asked by journalists about the resumption of diplomatic talks, Trump clarified that America is not looking for a hasty agreement at the moment. He said that the recent US military strikes have weakened the Iranian system from within. Trump confirmed that US forces have disabled or destroyed approximately nine large Iranian oil tankers and ships during operations in the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, and that Iran could lose more ships if it continues to target US warships. Iran rejected Marco Rubio's allegations on Houthis. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei rejected the allegations made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in which Yemen's Houthis (Ansarullah) were described as puppets of Tehran. Baghai wrote on the social media platform 'X' that Ansarullah is an independent Yemeni movement that takes its own decisions and does not take orders from anyone. He blamed American military interference as the main reason for instability in West Asia and warned Washington to exit the region. Attacks on ships at sea, explosions on Iranian shores and this spark reaching Saudi bases have pushed crude oil prices beyond $100 per barrel, indicating further deepening of the global energy crisis.