A massive explosion rocked Shahid Rajaee port, Iran’s largest commercial terminal, early Saturday morning, leaving at least 14 dead and injuring over 750 people. The blast occurred near Bandar Abbas, a pivotal city on the country’s southern coast, sending shock waves that shattered windows and roofs in nearby buildings and damaged cars, with reports indicating that the force of the explosion was felt up to 50 kilometers away.
Eyewitness accounts painted a grim picture of the chaos that ensued. One resident recalled the harrowing moment, saying, “The entire warehouse was filled with smoke, dust and ashes. I don’t remember if I went under the table or was thrown there by the blast.” Video footage verified by international media showed a rapidly intensifying fire preceding a colossal explosion. As people scrambled for safety, injured victims were seen lying amidst the debris, while others fled the scene.
Authorities confirmed that the explosion originated in a storage depot where hazardous materials were kept. Customs officials suggested that the fire may have broken out in unsealed containers storing flammable chemicals. Ambrey Intelligence, a private maritime risk firm, stated that the incident was likely caused by the mishandling of a shipment of solid fuel destined for Iranian ballistic missiles. The firm noted that an Iran-flagged vessel had offloaded a shipment of sodium perchlorate rocket fuel at the port in March 2025, with separate reports indicating that some of the cargo may have originated from China.
In the wake of the catastrophe, Iran’s National Disaster Management Organisation and state media launched an inquiry into the lapses that led to this disaster. Warnings had previously been issued regarding the secure storage of chemical materials at Shahid Rajaee port, yet crucial safety measures appear not to have been enforced.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed profound regret and sympathy for the victims and announced a government-led investigation into the incident. Concurrently, the blast unfolded amid ongoing high-level negotiations between Iranian and U.S. officials, aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions in exchange for sanctions relief—a dialogue that marks the first such engagement since 2018.
With significant shipping lanes running through the Strait of Hormuz, the incident has raised concerns about regional security and the safe handling of hazardous materials in one of the world’s most critical maritime hubs.
