Tehran: A powerful explosion at Iran’s largest port, Bandar Abbas, on Saturday killed at least four people and injured more than 500, according to Iranian state media. Authorities believe the blast, which struck the Shahid Rajaee section of the port, was triggered by the detonation of chemical materials stored at the facility.
The incident unfolded as Iran commenced a third round of nuclear negotiations with the United States in Oman, though officials emphasized there was no immediate evidence linking the blast to the diplomatic talks.
Hundreds of people were injured after a large explosion rocked Shahid Rajaee port in the southern Iranian city of Bandar Abbas, state media reported https://t.co/DIaqEvR83y pic.twitter.com/2PFcau4mTM
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 26, 2025
Hossein Zafari, spokesperson for Iran’s Crisis Management Organization, attributed the explosion to improper storage practices at the port.
“The cause of the explosion was the chemicals inside the containers,” Zafari told Iran’s ILNA news agency.
“Previously, the Director General of Crisis Management had given warnings to this port during their visits and had pointed out the possibility of danger,” he added.
However, an Iranian government spokesperson noted that while chemicals appeared to be involved, the exact cause had yet to be determined pending further investigation.
Footage aired by state media showed massive plumes of black and orange smoke rising above the port, with scenes of widespread devastation including office buildings with doors blown off and debris scattered across the area.
Bandar Abbas serves as a vital hub for Iran’s container shipping and is the country’s primary gateway for goods in transit. The force of the explosion shattered windows several kilometers away and was loud enough to be heard on Qeshm Island, located 26 kilometers (16 miles) south of the port.
Semi-official news agency Tasnim published images of injured individuals lying on the streets, being tended to amidst chaos. State television earlier reported that mishandling of flammable substances likely contributed to the disaster. A local crisis official confirmed that multiple containers stored at the port exploded.
Customs officials said that trucks were being evacuated from the area and that the container yard where the explosion occurred was believed to house “dangerous goods and chemicals.” Port activities were suspended following the blast, according to officials.
Pattern of Deadly Incidents
Saturday’s incident adds to a troubling pattern of industrial and energy infrastructure accidents in Iran, many of which have been blamed on negligence. Previous incidents include refinery fires, a deadly gas explosion at a coal mine, and an emergency repair accident at Bandar Abbas in 2023 that claimed one worker’s life.
In some cases, Tehran has attributed accidents to external sabotage. Israel, Iran’s arch-rival, has been linked to several attacks on Iranian infrastructure, particularly its nuclear program. In February 2024, Tehran accused Israel of orchestrating attacks on Iranian gas pipelines. Similarly, in 2020, Shahid Rajaee port’s computers were reportedly targeted by a cyberattack, which The Washington Post attributed to Israel as retaliation for an earlier Iranian cyber operation.
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Israel has expressed concerns over ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear discussions, demanding the complete dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear program. Tehran maintains that its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes, though international observers warn that Iran is moving closer to the capability of building a nuclear weapon.
When asked whether Israel had any involvement in Saturday’s explosion, there was no immediate response from the Israeli military or Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
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Iranian authorities confirmed that oil facilities were unaffected by the blast. The National Iranian Petroleum Refining and Distribution Company issued a statement saying the explosion had “no connection to refineries, fuel tanks, distribution complexes and oil pipelines.”
