Homes shake as blasts hit Tabriz and Urmia, witnesses say

Explosions and the deployment of security forces were reported in several Iranian cities on Thursday, according to eyewitness accounts sent to Iran International.

Several loud blasts were heard around 2 am in the Azimiyeh district of Karaj, central Iran, while residents in Kashan, north-central Iran, reported multiple explosions around 4 am. A separate witness account said an attack occurred around 1 am in the port city of Bandar Sirik, southern Iran.

In Ahvaz, southwestern Iran, five explosions were reported around 7 am in a northern district, which witnesses said appeared to be linked to the area of the 92nd Armored Division. Three additional explosions were reported further south after the sound of fighter jets was heard. Witnesses also reported a missile strike on air defenses in the Persian Gulf island of Qeshm.

Witness accounts also indicated security forces had been deployed in public facilities. In Lahijan, northern Iran, equipment belonging to security forces was seen at Takhti stadium, while in Shiraz, southwestern Iran, witnesses said Imam Reza school was being used as a base for Basij forces.

In Malayer, western Iran, witnesses said IRGC forces moved from their base at Sepah Square to the Ebtekar technical school on Parastar boulevard, and security forces were seen gathering at locations along Saadi street.

Explosions and air raid activity shook several Iranian cities early Monday, eyewitnesses told Iran International.

In the southwestern city of Masjed Soleyman, strikes hit areas near an army aviation base and close to the local petrochemical complex before dawn.

In Shiraz, the Electronics Industries complex was targeted, with a witness saying the facility had been attacked several times previously.

Across Isfahan province, attacks struck multiple areas including Sepahan Shahr, Dowlatabad, Malek Shahr, Kaveh, Shahin Shahr, Zarrin Shahr, Mahmoudabad and Najafabad.

Explosions were also heard near major industrial and defense sites, including Mobarakeh Steel Company and the Isfahan defense industries. Around 16 blasts were reported near the Lenjan defense industries area and the Haft Tir industrial complex. The IRGC-affiliated Amir al-Momenin University in Sepahan Shahr was also struck.

Air defense activity and explosions were reported near Bakeri military base outside Dezful in southwestern Iran, while two blasts were heard west of Tabriz in the northwest.

In southern Iran, witnesses reported fighter jets over Bandar Abbas followed by bombing near the city’s air base. Several powerful explosions were also reported in the port city of Jask.

Overnight, multiple explosions were reported in the Fardis area of Karaj in central Iran. In Tehran’s District 15, IRGC and Basij forces were seen stationed at Mofatteh 2 school.

Blasts were also heard in the city of Ghods near Tehran, and four powerful explosions were reported in Takestan.

Iranian security forces have deployed to mosques and other public facilities in several cities, according to eyewitness accounts received by Iran International on Monday.

Witnesses said members of the Revolutionary Guards and Basij were positioned inside mosques in Tehran’s District 10, which were being used as operational hubs.

In Karaj, special police units and officers from the Phase 4 Mehrshahr station were seen at the Mehrshahr morgue facility, the witnesses said.

In Kazerun in southwestern Iran, residents reported that the Chamran and Imam Sajjad brigade barracks were evacuated and forces were redeployed to the Sarab Ardeshir recreational area.

Messages sent by residents to Iran International described explosions, reported strikes and military deployments across several cities in Iran on Sunday.

In Shahin Shahr near Isfahan, residents reported multiple explosions in the morning, including near a Revolutionary Guards center, the governor’s office and other locations.

Another message said a police station at the Attar–Modarres intersection and a Guards base were targeted around 9:15 a.m.

Residents also reported attacks on security and military facilities in other parts of Isfahan province. Messages described strikes on a police command building near City Center in Isfahan and on a police command office on Tohid Street.

Other reported targets included the Guards’ Saheb al-Zaman headquarters on Sofeh Boulevard opposite Al-Zahra hospital, a Basij intelligence district, a command headquarters and the Imam Ali barracks in Najafabad.

In nearby Fuladshahr, residents said Guards forces that had entered the Hijab stadium on Saturday were targeted.

Elsewhere, residents reported heavy bombing of army air and naval bases and other military facilities in Bushehr.

In Qom, one message said the Safaieh area was struck around 8 a.m.

Residents in Bandar Abbas reported hearing explosions since the morning and said military facilities at the western edge of the city had been hit by missiles.

Separate messages described security deployments in other cities. In Qazvin, police forces were reported stationed at the 22 Bahman stadium near a health center and a girls’ technical school.

In Tehran’s Sa’adat Abad district, residents said Imam Sadeq university and a nearby high school had been turned into military positions with checkpoints set up around them.

In Tabriz, residents reported government forces stationed at Imam Ali primary school in the Roshdiyeh area.

After Khamenei was killed in Tehran on February 28, confusion and divisions have emerged within the command structure of Iran’s military forces, the conscripts said.

In a military base in Lorestan province, several soldiers reported uncertainty over the chain of command and growing security concerns after the recent developments.

In a message, one soldier said many commanders left their posts to avoid potential US and Israeli strikes, leaving ordinary conscripts behind in the barracks without support.

According to the soldier, fear of bombardment has led some troops to spend nights outside the base, resting in nearby open areas despite the cold weather.

The soldier also criticized what he described as a lack of attention to the situation of ordinary troops and called for authorities to address their conditions.