A powerful explosion tore through Shahid Rajaee Port in southern Iran on Saturday, killing at least 25 people and injuring over 800, according to local media reports. Fires were still burning more than 24 hours later, and the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
The blast, which occurred near the strategic Strait of Hormuz—a critical global oil transit route—was so intense that it was reportedly heard and felt up to 50 kilometers away. The explosion caused significant structural damage throughout the port, which is Iran’s largest commercial shipping hub.
State television, citing the port’s customs authority, suggested the explosion was likely triggered by a fire at a depot storing hazardous and chemical materials. Regional emergency officials confirmed that multiple shipping containers detonated in the incident.
The New York Times quoted a source linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, who claimed the substance that exploded was sodium perchlorate, a chemical commonly used in missile fuel.
As of Sunday, black smoke was still visible at the site. “The fire is under control but not yet extinguished,” a state TV correspondent reported from the scene. Live footage showed emergency responders working amid widespread devastation.
State-run media said hundreds of injured individuals were transported to nearby hospitals, prompting the provincial blood transfusion service to appeal for urgent donations. Among the injured were three Chinese nationals, who reportedly sustained minor injuries, according to China’s state broadcaster CCTV.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian extended condolences to the victims’ families and ordered an immediate investigation into the cause of the explosion. Authorities in Hormozgan province declared three days of public mourning, and all schools and government offices in the provincial capital, Bandar Abbas, were closed due to smoke and air pollution.
Residents were advised to remain indoors and wear protective masks, as the Health Ministry warned of hazardous air conditions.
The blast occurred during Iran’s regular workweek, meaning the port was operating at full capacity when the explosion hit.
While Iranian officials are currently treating the incident as accidental, the explosion comes amid a tense regional climate. The Washington Post noted that in 2020, Israel allegedly carried out a cyberattack targeting Shahid Rajaee Port, part of an ongoing shadow conflict between the two nations.
Coinciding with the incident, Iranian and U.S. officials were holding diplomatic talks in Oman focused on Tehran’s nuclear program—talks that both sides claimed showed signs of progress.
In a statement, the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company clarified that the explosion did not affect its nearby facilities and that operations remain uninterrupted.
Expressions of sympathy poured in from across the region, with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia offering condolences and support.
