A massive explosion at Iran’s largest commercial port has killed at least 46 people and injured over 1,000 others, as firefighters continue battling chemical fires two days after the blast near a critical global oil shipping route.
Quick Takes
- The explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port near Bandar Abbas killed at least 46 people with 138 still hospitalized from more than 1,000 injured.
- Satellite images reveal extensive damage including destroyed buildings, large craters, and widespread container damage at the critical shipping facility.
- Reports indicate the blast involved hazardous chemicals potentially including sodium perchlorate, a component used in missile fuel, though military connections are denied.
- Authorities have closed schools and offices while declaring national mourning as Russian specialists assist with ongoing firefighting efforts.
- Iran’s supreme leader has ordered an investigation to determine if negligence or deliberate action caused the disaster.
Deadly Blast Devastates Major Iranian Port
A catastrophic explosion rocked Iran’s Shahid Rajaee Port near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, creating a scene of devastation that continues to burn days after the initial blast. The incident has claimed at least 46 lives and left over 1,000 injured, with local health official Mehrdad Hassanzadeh confirming that “138 wounded are still in hospital.” The explosion, which occurred at Iran’s largest commercial shipping facility, produced massive fireballs and released dense smoke plumes visible for miles around the port city of Bandar Abbas.
Surveillance footage captured the moment when what appeared to be a small fire quickly escalated into a massive explosion, sending debris flying and creating shock waves felt throughout the surrounding area. The blast occurred at a hazardous materials storage depot, with satellite images analyzed by independent sources showing two large craters where buildings once stood. The extensive damage has prompted authorities to close schools and offices in the region while advising residents to stay indoors and use protective masks due to potentially harmful chemicals in the air.
❗️🇮🇷 – The death toll from an explosion at Iran's largest commercial port, Shahid Rajaee, rose to 28, with over 1,000 injured, according to the Iranian Red Crescent.
The cause remains unclear, with suspicions of improperly stored chemicals. Iran's Defense Ministry denied claims… pic.twitter.com/li6Yw5XRPl
— 🔥🗞The Informant (@theinformant_x) April 27, 2025
Questions Surround Mysterious Chemical Cargo
The explosion’s cause remains under intense scrutiny, with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordering a full investigation to determine if the disaster resulted from “any negligence or intent.” Private security firm Ambrey reported that the port received a shipment of ammonium perchlorate from China in March – a chemical compound commonly used in missile fuel production. The New York Times similarly reported that sodium perchlorate, another missile fuel component, may have been involved in the explosion, raising questions about potential military connections.
Iran’s defense ministry has strongly denied any military-related cargo was present at the port. However, videos circulating on social media showed reddish smoke plumes consistent with certain chemical compounds, bearing similarities to the 2020 Beirut port explosion. Some reports suggest the cargo evaded normal customs procedures, potentially indicating involvement from high-level authorities. The lack of proper documentation has complicated efforts to identify exactly what materials fueled the destructive blast.
International Response and Regional Implications
The Iranian government has declared a national day of mourning for victims, with three days of mourning specifically in Hormozgan province where the disaster occurred. Russia has dispatched specialists to assist in controlling the persistent fires that continue to burn at the port facility two days after the initial explosion. The incident’s timing has drawn particular attention as it coincided with Iranian and US delegations meeting in Oman for nuclear talks, though no connection has been established between these events.
The Shahid Rajaee Port holds significant strategic importance as it sits near the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply passes. This latest incident occurs amid ongoing regional tensions and follows a history of suspected sabotage actions against Iranian infrastructure. In 2020, the same port was reportedly targeted by an Israeli cyberattack, though no evidence currently suggests external involvement in this explosion. Iranian authorities maintain that the investigation is ongoing, focusing primarily on possible negligence in handling hazardous materials.
Sources:
Fires rage 2 days after Iran port blast killed 46
Iran says fire extinguished at a port rocked by explosion as the death toll rises to at least 70
Tehran in trouble: Deadly port explosion leaves Iran in a bind – analysis
