Explosion rocks Jordan's Gulf of Aqaba

An explosion was heard in Jordan’s port of Aqaba near a facility used by US military vessels, an official and Arab satellite TV stations said, but the cause of the blast was unclear.

At least one blast was heard at about 9am local time (7am) near Aqaba, a Red Sea port 210 miles south of the Jordanian capital Amman, according to an official at the Aqaba Port Authority.

Qatar-based al-Jazeera TV said the explosion occurred near Port 7, while Dubai-based Al-Arabiya TV said a US naval ship was in the vicinity of the blast. It was unclear what the source of the blast was or if any damage was caused.

Jordanian Interior Minister Awni Yirfas told Al-Arabiya there was an explosion, but its cause was unclear.

Interior Ministry and US officials were not available for comment.