Major Explosion Rocks Iran’s Strategic Shahid Rajaee Port: 4 Dead, 500+ Injured
A devastating explosion struck the Shahid Rajaee Port in southern Iran early Saturday, killing at least four people and injuring over 500 others, according to local authorities. The blast, reported around 12:30 AM local time (2100 GMT), sent shockwaves through the critical shipping hub located near the Strait of Hormuz—a vital global oil transit route.
Casualties and Emergency Response
Iran’s Red Crescent Society confirmed the fatalities, with relief chief Babak Mahmoudi stating, “Rescuers have verified four deaths so far.” Over 516 injured individuals were rushed to nearby hospitals in Hormozgan province, overwhelming medical facilities. Emergency teams, including firefighting and security units, swiftly mobilized to contain the blaze and evacuate the area. Port operations were temporarily halted to prioritize rescue efforts.
Conflicting Reports on the Cause
Initial investigations point to poorly stored chemicals as the likely trigger. Hossein Zafari, a crisis management spokesperson, cited prior warnings about hazardous material storage at the port, telling ILNA News Agency, “The explosion resulted from chemicals inside containers.” However, conflicting reports from Tasnim News Agency suggest a fuel tank explosion might be to blame. Officials have yet to release an official statement clarifying the cause.
Strategic Location Amid Regional Tensions
The Shahid Rajaee Port, situated just 15 kilometers southwest of Bandar Abbas, is a linchpin for Iran’s maritime trade and energy exports. Its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz—through which 20% of the world’s oil passes—underscores the geopolitical sensitivity of the incident. The explosion occurred as Iran engaged in a third round of nuclear talks with the U.S. in Oman, though no direct link between the events has been established.
Aftermath and Investigations
Authorities are working to extinguish lingering fires and assess damage to port infrastructure. While no group has claimed responsibility, the focus remains on safety lapses. Local officials emphasized that “security forces are investigating all angles,” including potential negligence in handling hazardous materials.
“Unfortunately, at least four deaths have been confirmed by rescuers,” the head of the Red Crescent Society’s Relief and Rescue Organisation, Babak Mahmoudi, told state TV.
State television, citing emergency services, reported that “516 people have been injured as hundreds have been transferred to nearby medical centres” in the southern province of Hormozgan, where the Shahid Rajaee port is located.
The explosion was reported at around 12:30am local time (2100GMT/2am PKT) on Saturday.
The strategically important port, located in the southern Hormozgan province, lies around 15 kilometres southwest of the port of Bandar Abbas on the northern shore of the Strait of Hormuz.
The explosion was likely caused by poorly stored chemical materials detonating, according to Hossein Zafari, a spokesperson for Iran’s crisis management organisation.
“The cause of the explosion was the chemicals inside the containers,” he told Iran’s ILNA news agency. “Previously, the Director General of Crisis Management had given warnings to this port during their visits and had pointed out the possibility of danger.”
The explosion occurred as Iran began a third round of nuclear talks with the United States in Oman, but there was no immediate indication of a link between the two events.
According to the semi-official Tasnim News Agency, it could have been caused by the explosion of a fuel tank, however, there has been no official statement on it so far.
The report said rapid response teams were immediately dispatched to the site of the incident, with port operations suspended temporarily to allow security and emergency forces to restore order.
The semi-official Fars News Agency quoted local officials in Hormozgan as saying the explosion occurred at a section of the Shahid Rajaee Port dock, adding that efforts are underway to extinguish the fire.
