Rubio says deal possible within days as explosions rock strategic port city near Hormuz

Even as American warplanes struck targets in southern Iran, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that a deal with Tehran remains possible, suggesting that diplomacy and military action may be running on parallel tracks.

"There were some talks going on in Qatar today, so we'll see if we can make progress," Rubio told reporters in Jaipur, where he is on an official visit to India. He acknowledged that negotiators are haggling over "specific language in the initial document," adding that a breakthrough could take "a few days."

The comments came just hours after the US military confirmed fresh "self-defence" strikes in southern Iran, targeting missile launch sites and boats allegedly attempting to lay mines near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Explosions Rock Bandar Abbas

Multiple blast reports emerged from the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas, a critical naval hub along the strait. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps acknowledged three explosions early Tuesday local time, without immediately specifying the cause.

A later IRGC statement said air defence systems had been activated near Bandar Abbas airport after another blast was heard. State-run IRNA reported "several consecutive explosions" around midnight, while Fars News Agency, citing eyewitnesses, said blasts were also heard near Sirik and Jask along the Persian Gulf coastline.

US Central Command spokesman Timothy Hawkins described the operation as defensive. "US forces conducted self-defence strikes in southern Iran today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces," he said.

Trump Raises Stakes on Nuclear Issue

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump injected fresh complexity into the diplomatic calculus, posting on Truth Social that Iran's enriched uranium stockpile must be handed over to the United States for destruction or dismantled under international supervision.

Trump described the material as "nuclear dust" and indicated the process would involve the Atomic Energy Commission "or its equivalent." The demand signals Washington is pushing for concrete nuclear rollbacks, not just ceasefire arrangements.

Tehran Strikes Cautious Note

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqai acknowledged progress in talks with the US on Monday but warned against premature optimism. "It is correct to say that we have reached a conclusion on a large portion of the issues under discussion," Baqai said. "But to say that this means the signing of an agreement is imminent, no one can make such a claim."

Tehran has not formally responded to the latest American strikes, leaving observers uncertain whether the attacks will derail Qatari-mediated negotiations.

Oil Prices Jump on Renewed Fears

Crude oil prices climbed in Asian trading following the Bandar Abbas strikes. Brent crude rose nearly 2% to around $97 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate approached $91 per barrel.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supply passes, has been effectively disrupted since Tehran escalated its military posture in late February. Rubio struck a firm tone on the waterway's status. "The straits have to be open. They're going to be open one way or the other," he said.

The current conflict traces back to February 28, when the US and Israel launched large-scale strikes on Iran, triggering Tehran's retaliation against Israel and allied Gulf states. Despite the violence, Trump indicated over the weekend that he had instructed negotiators "not to rush into" an agreement, suggesting Washington is willing to let military and diplomatic tracks play out simultaneously.

Explosion Rocks Strategic Iranian Port, Fueling Regional Tensions

A significant explosion struck a residential building in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas on Saturday, January 31, 2026, resulting in casualties and igniting a flurry of speculation amid dangerously high geopolitical tensions. Initial reports from Iranian officials point to a gas leak as the likely cause, but the incident occurred against a backdrop of severe domestic unrest and threats of U.S. military action, prompting immediate denials from Iran's Revolutionary Guard that it was a targeted attack.

The blast, which destroyed two floors of an eight-story building and damaged shops and vehicles, comes just one day before Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) planned live-fire naval drills in the nearby Strait of Hormuz. This critical waterway, where Bandar Abbas is located, handles about one-fifth of the world's seaborne oil, making any incident there a global concern.

Official Cause and Conflicting Narratives

According to Mohammad Amin Lyaghat, the head of the Bandar Abbas fire department, the "initial cause of the building accident... was a gas leak and buildup". This assessment was reported by Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency and state television.

However, the explosion triggered immediate rumors online, including unsubstantiated claims that a naval commander of the IRGC had been targeted. The IRGC was quick to deny these claims, stating that none of its naval buildings in the province were hit. Furthermore, two Israeli officials told Reuters that Israel was not involved in the incident.

Casualty figures remain unclear. While Tasnim reported at least one death and 14 injuries, local crisis management head Mehrdad Hassanzadeh was quoted only saying wounded were being transferred to the hospital.

A Tinderbox Context: Protests, Crackdowns, and US Warnings

The explosion occurred in a nation under intense strain. For weeks, Iran has been engulfed by nationwide protests sparked by economic hardship, which have met a brutal government crackdown. While internet blackouts make verification difficult, human rights groups report thousands of protesters have been killed by security forces.

This domestic crisis has escalated into an international standoff. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened Iran over the protest crackdown and its nuclear program. Just days before the blast, Trump had deployed a "massive armada" to the region and was reportedly presented with military options against Iran.

In this volatile climate, the U.S. military issued a direct warning to Iran on Friday over its planned drills. U.S. Central Command stated it "will not tolerate unsafe IRGC actions," including approaches on a collision course with U.S. vessels or weapons trained at U.S. forces.

Diplomatic Efforts Race to Prevent Escalation

As military posturing intensifies, diplomatic channels are working overtime. Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, have stated readiness for "fair and equitable" negotiations with the U.S., but insist they will not be bullied or give up their missile and defense capabilities.

Regional powers are actively trying to mediate. Egypt has held calls with Iranian, U.S., Turkish, and Omani officials to seek diplomatic solutions, while Turkey has offered to act as a facilitator. Notably, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have both ruled out allowing their territory or airspace to be used for attacks on Iran.

Analysis: A Precarious Moment

The explosion in Bandar Abbas, whether accidental or not, highlights the extreme fragility of the current moment. A single miscalculation or misinterpretation in the crowded waters of the Strait of Hormuz could spark a wider conflict. While Iran seeks to project strength through military drills, it is simultaneously grappling with profound internal dissent and economic isolation.

The path forward hinges on whether diplomatic efforts can create a viable off-ramp. The key demands from the U.S.—curbs on Iran's nuclear program, missile development, and support for regional proxies—strike at the core of the Iranian regime's security strategy, making concessions politically perilous. For now, the world watches as crisis management and tense diplomacy attempt to outpace the march toward potential military confrontation.