Massive Explosion and Fire at Iranian Port Injures Over 400 People
TEHRAN, Iran – A devastating explosion followed by a fire rocked the Rajaei Port in southern Iran on Saturday, leaving at least 406 people injured, according to the state-run news agency IRNA. The initial report, which had indicated 281 injuries, was updated as the scale of the incident became clearer. The injured were reported by Mojtaba Khaledi, spokesperson for Iran’s National Emergency Organization.
The explosion occurred at Rajaei Port, located just outside Bandar Abbas, a major hub for container shipments in Iran. This port plays a significant role in the nation’s trade, handling approximately 80 million tons (72.5 million metric tons) of goods annually. Videos shared on social media captured dark clouds of smoke rising from the site, while footage also showed glass windows shattered in buildings kilometers away from the blast’s epicenter.
At present, Iranian authorities have not disclosed the exact cause of the explosion. Industrial accidents are not uncommon in Iran, particularly in older oil facilities that face difficulties obtaining necessary parts due to international sanctions. However, state television has explicitly ruled out the involvement of energy infrastructure in the explosion.
Mehrdad Hasanzadeh, a disaster management official, told state-run media that first responders were urgently attempting to access the site, while others focused on evacuating the area. The official mentioned that the blast originated from containers at the port, though further details were not provided. Additionally, state TV reported a building collapse resulting from the explosion, but no further information has been released regarding the extent of the damage.
Rajaei Port is located about 1,050 kilometers (652 miles) southeast of Tehran, near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global oil shipments. Around 20% of the world’s traded oil flows through this narrow waterway, which is of strategic importance for international energy markets.
This explosion comes at a sensitive time as negotiations between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program are ongoing. The talks, which are being held in Oman, mark the third round of discussions as both nations seek to address the rapidly advancing nuclear capabilities of Iran. The timing of the blast adds to the geopolitical tensions surrounding the event, with the international community closely watching the developments.
While the cause of the explosion remains under investigation, authorities are focusing on containing the aftermath and providing assistance to those affected by the disaster. The incident underscores the ongoing vulnerabilities in Iran’s aging industrial infrastructure, which, compounded by external sanctions, continues to face significant challenges.