A massive explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port near Bandar Abbas in southern Iran on Saturday has resulted in at least 25 fatalities and around 800 injuries, with significant material damage reported. The cause of the explosion remains unknown, though authorities are actively investigating.
State media confirmed the casualty figures, stating that only 10 of the deceased had been identified, including two women. Authorities also noted that the fire caused by the explosion is now under control and is expected to be fully extinguished by Sunday evening. Port operations have resumed, with footage showing commercial ships being unloaded.
The blast caused extensive damage to the port’s offices and was powerful enough to create tremors felt in nearby cities. Reports also indicated that the explosion shattered windows in buildings several kilometers away. State television mentioned that a building collapse occurred due to the explosion, though additional details were not provided.
Local authorities have issued warnings about air pollution from chemicals such as ammonia, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. In response, schools in Bandar Abbas were closed on Sunday as a precaution. The explosion occurred amid ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Oman, adding to the intensity of the situation.
The cause of the explosion remains unclear, with Hormozgan province’s crisis management director confirming that the investigation is still ongoing. The Customs Administration of Iran, however, suggested that a “stockpile of hazardous goods and chemical materials stored in the port area” might have caused the blast, according to the IRNA news agency.
Private security firm Ambrey reported that the port had received a shipment of “sodium perchlorate rocket fuel” in March, which was intended to replenish Iran’s missile stockpiles. The firm indicated that improper handling of this shipment might have caused the explosion. However, Iranian officials have not publicly acknowledged this shipment.
While no Iranian official has suggested that the explosion was the result of an attack, the possibility of sabotage has not been entirely ruled out. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently acknowledged heightened security concerns due to past attempts at sabotage, adding that the country’s security services are on high alert.
Videos circulating on social media captured reddish smoke rising before the explosion, which some experts suggest may indicate the involvement of chemical compounds, drawing comparisons to the deadly 2020 Beirut explosion. Black smoke engulfed the area following the detonation, and videos showed shattered glass in buildings far from the blast site.
State media footage also showed injured individuals crowding into hospitals, with ambulances arriving and medical teams attending to the wounded.
Shahid Rajaee port is a critical hub for container shipments in Iran, handling around 72.5 million metric tonnes of goods annually. In light of the explosion, Iran’s Interior Ministry has launched an investigation. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has also expressed his condolences to those affected by the tragedy.
