A deadly explosion rocked one of Iran’s most important ports, Shahid Rajaee, located just outside Bandar Abbas, on the morning of April 27, 2025. The blast killed at least 18 people and left 800 others injured. The explosion was powerful enough to blow out windows and roofs of nearby buildings and destroy vehicles, with the impact felt up to 50 kilometers (31 miles) away. Local residents reported a massive fire that intensified before the explosion, sending people fleeing and leaving wounded individuals lying in the streets amid debris and smoke.
The fire reportedly spread from one container to another, with aerial footage showing at least three areas engulfed in flames. The explosion is believed to have originated from a shipment of solid fuel, intended for Iranian ballistic missiles, which had been mishandled. The cargo was stored in unsealed containers containing hazardous materials, which contributed to the massive blast. The government has not yet confirmed the exact cause but has pointed to a fire in a chemical storage depot as a likely source of the explosion.
Shahid Rajaee is Iran’s largest commercial port, handling around 80 million tons of goods annually. It is also strategically located on the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route for global oil supplies. Despite the catastrophic damage, Iranian officials have assured that the explosion had no connection to the country’s oil refineries, fuel tanks, or pipelines.
The explosion coincided with high-stakes negotiations between the US and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program. The talks, mediated by Oman, have seen some progress, but significant differences remain, particularly regarding Iran’s insistence on continuing uranium enrichment. While the incident has drawn global attention, Iranian authorities have expressed regret and sympathy for the victims and vowed to investigate the cause of the blast thoroughly.
