Five explosions hit Iran's Qeshm Island after Guard downs US drone

Five explosions were heard on Iran's Qeshm Island, with sounds reaching Hormuz and Bandar Abbas, shortly after the Revolutionary Guard claimed downing a US drone and seizing two others near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's IRNA news agency reported the blasts, suggesting their force indicated strikes on targets within the island, while some residents reported two aircraft flying overhead. Fars news agency also reported explosions from the sea near Bandar Lengeh, and Al Jazeera's correspondent noted the nature of the blasts remains unclear, whether from bombardment or naval incidents. The explosions followed the Guard's announcement of shooting down an MQ-9 drone and seizing two MQ-170 drones over Qeshm, using a new advanced air defense system, bringing the total captured US drones to four. Qeshm Island holds strategic importance at the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil and gas shipping route.