Port explosion at Shahid Rajaei port kills 25 and injures 800 in southern Iran
Iain Hoey
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Port explosion in southern Iran kills 25 amid fire and chemical concerns
AP News has reported that a port explosion at Shahid Rajaei port in southern Iran on Saturday killed 25 people and injured around 800 others.
The explosion was linked to containers believed to hold chemical materials, according to Iranian state media.
Authorities reported that helicopters and aircraft worked through Saturday night and Sunday morning to extinguish the fire.
The explosion occurred as Iran and the United States were meeting in Oman for a third round of negotiations regarding Tehran’s nuclear program.
No Iranian officials directly attributed the explosion to an attack, although Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated: “Our security services are on high alert given past instances of attempted sabotage and assassination operations designed to provoke a legitimate response.”
Concerns over chemical shipments and missile fuel at the port
According to private security firm Ambrey, the Shahid Rajaei port received a shipment of ammonium perchlorate from China in March.
Ambrey said: “The fire was reportedly the result of improper handling of a shipment of solid fuel intended for use in Iranian ballistic missiles.”
Iranian defence ministry spokesman Gen. Reza Talaeinik denied these reports, telling state television: “No sort of imported and exporting consignment for fuel or military application was (or) is in the site of the port.”
Ambrey attributed the chemical to missile production, referencing previous reports by the Financial Times.
Ship-tracking data reviewed by The Associated Press showed one of the vessels linked to the chemical shipment near the port in March.
Iran has not confirmed receipt of the ammonium perchlorate.
Casualty reports and ongoing safety concerns in Bandar Abbas
State media reported that only 10 of the deceased, including two women, had been identified as of Sunday.
Footage released by Iranian media showed multiple fires still burning within the port following the explosion.
The Customs Administration of Iran attributed the explosion to a “stockpile of hazardous goods and chemical materials stored in the port area,” according to the state-run IRNA news agency.
Officials closed schools and offices in Bandar Abbas on Sunday because of air pollution concerns involving ammonia, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.
Social media videos showed extensive damage, including blown-out windows kilometres away from the site, and crowded hospitals treating the injured.
Previous attacks, investigations and port activities resume
AP News reported that Shahid Rajaei port had previously been the target of a cyberattack attributed to Israel in 2020.
The Interior Ministry has launched an investigation into the cause of the explosion.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian offered condolences to the victims.
State television footage showed that activity at the port had resumed by Sunday, with containers being unloaded from ships.
Authorities stated that the fire was under control but noted that full extinguishment would continue into Sunday evening.
The port is a critical hub for Iranian trade and is located about 1,050 kilometres southeast of Tehran along the Strait of Hormuz.
Port explosion at Shahid Rajaei port kills 25 and injures 800 in southern Iran: Summary
A port explosion in southern Iran killed 25 people and injured around 800 others.
The explosion occurred at Shahid Rajaei port near Bandar Abbas.
Authorities linked the blast to hazardous chemical materials stored at the site.
Private security firm Ambrey reported that the chemicals were associated with missile fuel.
Iranian defence officials denied that missile fuel was stored or imported at the port.
The fire from the explosion continued burning into Sunday morning before being brought under control.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued public condolences following the incident.
The Iranian Interior Ministry launched an official investigation into the cause of the explosion.
Social media footage showed widespread damage and hospitals crowded with the injured.
The Shahid Rajaei port is located on the Strait of Hormuz and plays a key role in Iran’s trade.
Port operations resumed Sunday after emergency crews worked overnight.
Air quality warnings were issued for Bandar Abbas due to chemical pollution.
Iranian state television confirmed that schools and offices in Bandar Abbas were closed on Sunday.
A previous cyberattack targeted Shahid Rajaei port in 2020.
Ship-tracking data indicated that a vessel carrying ammonium perchlorate was near the port in March.
No official cause for the explosion has been confirmed by Iranian authorities.
