A massive explosion rocked the southern Iranian port of Shahid Rajaee in Bandar Abbas, leaving at least 14 people dead and over 700 injured, according to state media reports. The explosion, which occurred late Saturday, has triggered widespread devastation and raised concerns over the safety of chemical storage at the port.

Explosion Linked to Chemicals in Containers

Hossein Zafari, a spokesperson for Iran’s crisis management body, suggested that the blast was caused by the explosion of chemicals stored in containers at the port. “The cause of the explosions was the chemicals inside the containers,” Zafari explained to Iran’s ILNA news agency, adding that the port administration had been previously warned about the risks posed by these chemicals. The Iranian government has yet to officially confirm the cause but is investigating the possibility of combustible chemicals being responsible for the deadly explosion.

The blast originated in several containers at the port, according to local officials, and quickly spiraled into a catastrophe. As emergency teams rushed to the site, videos surfaced showing a massive mushroom cloud and debris strewn across the port. The shockwave from the explosion destroyed nearby buildings and shattered windows, leaving many injured and trapped.

Following the explosion, the port was immediately closed, and all port activities were suspended. Iranian customs officials halted export and transit shipments, disrupting operations at the country’s largest container facility. However, the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company assured that oil refineries, tankers, and pipelines in the region were unaffected by the blast.

The injured were seen lying on the roadside as hospitals in Bandar Abbas declared a state of emergency. Firefighting teams, both aerial and naval, worked tirelessly to control the fire, with state media reporting that the firefighting efforts were expected to be completed within an hour.

Local media also reported that some people were trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings, heightening the scale of the disaster. The explosions and the subsequent chaos left the local population reeling.

A Tragic Turn Amid Nuclear Talks

The explosion occurred on the same day as the third round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, held in Oman. These talks, aimed at reaching a new deal on Iran’s nuclear program, had been ongoing for hours when the blast occurred, further complicating the geopolitical situation.

The blast has also raised broader concerns about the security and vulnerability of Iranian critical infrastructure. In 2020, the Shahid Rajaee port facility was previously targeted in a complex cyber-attack, allegedly attributed to Israel, which had disrupted port operations. The Iranian government has faced multiple incidents in recent years, some blamed on negligence, and others suspected to be the result of external interference, such as Israel’s alleged involvement in cyber-attacks on Iranian infrastructure.

Investigations and International Reactions

In response to the explosion, the provincial attorney general has ordered a "thorough and urgent" investigation to determine the exact cause of the disaster. The Iranian government is working quickly to assess the damage and prevent further risks. International reactions to the explosion have yet to emerge, with Israel choosing not to comment on the incident.

As Iran deals with this tragic loss of life and damage to its critical infrastructure, the focus remains on providing aid to the injured and ensuring that the explosion’s cause is thoroughly understood. Meanwhile, the country continues to navigate its complex political and economic landscape, with international negotiations over its nuclear program ongoing.


Posted on April 26, 2025
By [ Wafriknews ]