An intense explosion rocks Iran.

In the bustling port of Shahid Rajaee, southern Iran, a catastrophic explosion sent shockwaves through the area, as reported by our correspondent. This incident, still shrouded in mystery, left a trail of destruction in its wake. The President of Kazakhstan offered his heartfelt condolences to his Iranian counterpart following the tragedy.

The Iranian news agency Tasnim also reported the devastating explosion, attributing it to an ignition of a fuel tank. In response, rescue and fire teams from neighboring cities rushed to the scene. The General Director of Hormozgan's Crisis Management Department commented, "Just minutes ago, a powerful explosion rocked the port of Shahid Rajaee, and the cause remains elusive."

Footage of the aftermath shows black smoke, demolished structures, and shattered windows stretching for miles from the blast. Hospitals were flooded with casualties, struggling to cope with the overwhelming number of injured.

📹 Explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port, Bandar AbbasGeneral Manager of Hormozgan Crisis Management: The cause of this incident is still unknown [video link]

Sadly, this incident echoes earlier maritime disasters. On April 1, a boat carrying tourists from Kazakhstan and Russia [exploded] in Thailand, resulting in the injury of four Kazakhs. Tourists endured burns, lost their belongings, including money, phones, and passports.

Earlier in April, another blast struck a gas pipeline in the Subang Jaya area near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, injuring 33 people, with 6 requiring hospitalization.

For the convenience of our readers, we've integrated geolocation for comment authors.

As we remind you, the April 26 explosion at Iran's Shahid Rajaee Port invokes memories of the 2020 cyberattack on the same port, allegedly orchestrated by Israel. Initial reports suggest that the explosion might have been caused by a "stockpile of hazardous goods and chemical materials" in containers, according to Iran's Customs Administration. Some reports even hint at the possibility that the blast involved a chemical ingredient used in missile propellant, although officials have yet to confirm this.

Following the explosion, air pollution from substances like ammonia, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide triggered school closures in Bandar Abbas. As investigations continue, Iran's Interior Ministry launched an inquiry, coinciding with U.S.-Iran nuclear talks happening concurrently in Oman. At present, no concrete evidence of sabotage has surfaced, but officials have acknowledged an increased security alert.

The April 26 explosion at Iran's Shahid Rajaee Port, which the Iranian news agency Tasnim attributed to an ignition of a fuel tank, also reportedly involved hazardous goods and chemical materials.
Some reports hint at the possibility that the Shahid Rajaee Port explosion involved a chemical ingredient used in missile propellant, although no official confirmation has been made public.
Following the explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port, air pollution from substances like ammonia, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide triggered school closures in Bandar Abbas.
As the Iranian Interior Ministry conducts an investigation into the Shahid Rajaee Port explosion, American-Iran nuclear talks are happening concurrently in Oman, though no concrete evidence of sabotage has surfaced.