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Explosions Rock Iran as Tensions Rise; US Envoy Holds Ukraine Talks
Two explosions were reported in Iran on Saturday, January 31, 2026, as the United States special envoy Steve Witkoff said he held productive and constructive meetings with Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev regarding the war in Ukraine. The blasts, which occurred in separate locations across the country, resulted in at least five deaths and several injuries, according to local media reports. Meanwhile, in Milan, Italy, hundreds protested the planned deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) staff at the upcoming Winter Olympics.
One explosion occurred at Iran's southern port of Bandar Abbas, killing a four-year-old girl and injuring 14 others, according to Fars news agency. A second blast, over 1,000 kilometers away in Ahvaz, resulted in four fatalities, local officials stated. Local media attributed both incidents to gas explosions. Sky News reported that Israel denied any involvement in the explosions.
Amidst the reports of explosions, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff announced progress in diplomatic efforts regarding the conflict in Ukraine. "We are encouraged by this meeting that Russia is working toward securing peace in Ukraine," Witkoff wrote in a post on X following the talks with Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Florida, according to Al Jazeera. The meetings were described as "productive and constructive" as the Trump administration presses to end the nearly four-year war.
In Italy, hundreds of protesters gathered in Piazza XXV Aprile in Milan to demonstrate against the presence of ICE personnel at the Winter Olympics. Sky News reported that the demonstrators, echoing anti-ICE protests in the U.S., blew whistles and sang Bruce Springsteen songs. The square is named after the date of Italy's liberation from the Nazis in 1945.
These events unfold against a backdrop of heightened tensions in the Middle East and ongoing debates about U.S. foreign policy. Al Jazeera published an essay questioning the accuracy of the death toll from recent protests in Iran, with government figures stating 3,117 people were killed, while outside estimates range much higher. The article also raised concerns about the potential for escalating conflict with Iran.
Peter Kornbluh, Senior Analyst at the National Security Archive, spoke with Al Jazeera about the implications of the United States' foreign policy in Latin America, specifically mentioning the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the potential for further action in the region, including Cuba.
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