A massive explosion, likely caused by improperly stored chemical materials, killed at least five people and injured more than 700 on Saturday at Shahid Rajaee Port, Iran’s largest shipping hub in Bandar Abbas.
The blast sent shockwaves across the region, shattering windows several kilometers away and creating a towering plume of black and orange smoke visible for miles.
The explosion struck the Shahid Rajaee container terminal as Iran engaged in a third round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Oman, though officials confirmed no direct link between the two events. Hossein Zafari, a spokesperson for Iran’s Crisis Management Organization, suggested that chemical storage violations were responsible.
“The cause of the explosion was the chemicals inside the containers,” Zafari told ILNA News Agency, adding that previous warnings about unsafe storage had been ignored. However, a government spokesperson stated that while chemicals likely triggered the blast, the exact reason remains under investigation.
Iran’s President Calls For Investigation as Firefighting Efforts Continue
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered an immediate investigation into the Bandar Abbas port explosion and dispatched the interior minister to oversee emergency operations. Firefighters battled flames for hours to prevent the blaze from spreading to nearby areas.
State media broadcast footage of the aftermath, showing a devastated office building with blown-off doors and scattered debris. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route, lies just south of the port, though authorities confirmed no damage to oil facilities.
Shahid Rajaee Port, Iran’s primary container hub, handles most of the country’s commercial shipping. Customs officials reported that the explosion originated in a container yard storing dangerous goods and chemicals, prompting the evacuation of trucks and a full halt to port activities.
The blast was so powerful that residents on Qeshm Island, 26 kilometers away, reported hearing the detonation. The semi-official Tasnim News Agency shared videos of injured victims being treated in chaotic scenes, while state TV cited flammable material mishandling as a key factor.
The History of Deadly Incidents at Iranian Industrial Sites
This incident adds to a series of deadly industrial accidents in Iran, many attributed to negligence. Recent cases include refinery fires, gas explosions in coal mines, and a 2023 emergency repair incident at Bandar Abbas that killed a worker.
However, Iran has also accused Israel of sabotage, including a February 2024 gas pipeline attack and a 2020 cyberattack on Shahid Rajaee Port’s computers. The Washington Post linked the cyberattack to Israel in retaliation for an earlier Iranian breach.
Tensions Mount Over Iran’s Nuclear Program Amid U.S. Negotiations
As U.S.-Iran nuclear talks continue, Israel has demanded a full dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program, which Tehran insists is peaceful. International observers warn that Iran is nearing nuclear weapons capability, heightening regional tensions.
Israeli officials did not comment on possible involvement in Saturday’s explosion.
Meanwhile, Iranian authorities confirmed that oil refineries and pipelines were unaffected, with the National Iranian Petroleum Company denying any connection to the blast.
