A powerful explosion followed by a fire shook the port of Shahid Rajaei in southern Iran on Saturday, leaving at least four dead and more than 500 injured, according to local authorities.
The incident, which occurred on the outskirts of Bandar Abbas, coincided with the third round of negotiations between Iran and the United States in Oman regarding Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program. Although no official cause for the explosion has been confirmed, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is leading the talks, warned that “our security services are on high alert, given previous examples of sabotage attempts and targeted killings aimed at provoking a legitimate response.”
Hours after the incident, the exact cause of the blast remained unclear. Authorities ruled out any link to the country’s oil industry, but reports suggested the mishandling of highly dangerous materials. According to private security firm Ambrey, the port received a shipment of sodium perchlorate — a chemical used in rocket fuel production — in March. The shipment, originating from China, was reportedly intended to replenish Iran’s missile stockpiles, which have been depleted following recent attacks on Israel amid the war in Gaza.
Maritime tracking data reviewed by Ambrey placed one of the ships involved near the port in March. However, Iran has not officially acknowledged receipt of the cargo, and its mission to the United Nations did not respond to requests for comment.
The handling of such hazardous materials draws parallels to the 2020 Beirut disaster, when the explosion of hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate at the Lebanese capital’s port killed 200 people and injured more than 6,000. This comparison raises questions about why such sensitive compounds were moved through Shahid Rajaei port, particularly in a region already fraught with tension.
Videos circulating on social media showed a dense column of reddish smoke shortly before the explosion, suggesting the presence of chemical compounds. After the blast, images depicted shattered windows in buildings located kilometers away from the epicenter, and hospitals overwhelmed with injured people, with ambulances transporting victims.
Mehrdad Hasanzadeh, a provincial disaster management official, told state television that rescue teams were trying to reach the site while others were evacuating the area. Hasanzadeh said the explosion originated from containers at the port but did not provide further details. State TV also reported that a building collapsed due to the blast, although no additional information was available.
The Interior Ministry has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the incident.
Shahid Rajaei Port, located about 1,050 kilometers southeast of Tehran, is one of Iran’s main ports and sits strategically in the Strait of Hormuz — the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which about 20% of the world’s traded oil passes. This is not the first time the port has been targeted; in 2020, it was the site of an alleged cyberattack attributed to Israel, following claims that Israel had thwarted a similar cyberattack on its water infrastructure, allegedly carried out by Iran.
