Five people have been killed in two separate explosions in Iran which local officials and state media say were caused by gas leaks.

One person was killed and 14 injured in a blast at a residential building in the southern city of Bandar Abbas on the Gulf coast, a local official told Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency.

Another explosion killed four people in the south-western city of Ahvaz, the state-run Tehran Times reported.

This tragic incident occurs amidst rising tensions in the region, particularly with a buildup of US forces in the Gulf, prompting various responses from Tehran.

Prior to the explosions, President Donald Trump remarked on potential negotiations with Iran, noting that there is a penchant for serious discussion. He stated, 'We will see if we can do something'.

The first explosion, which targeted an eight-storey building in Bandar Abbas, led to the destruction of two floors along with several vehicles and nearby shops.

Preliminary investigations indicate that a gas leak was responsible for the explosion, as confirmed by the local fire department chief Mohammad Amin Liaqat.

In Ahvaz, emergency crews successfully rescued a child who was trapped underneath debris following the second explosion, underscoring the swift response of officials.

While the blasts have resulted in mourning for the victims, they have also sparked discussions about safety regulations surrounding gas usage in Iran, with officials promising to provide further details to the public.