Massive blast at Iranian seaport leads to fatalities of at least 14, injures around 750; eyewitness accounts support claims with footage of smoky chaos and a fiery eruption.

In a shocking turn of events, an explosion and subsequent fire at Iran's sprawling Shahid Rajaei commercial port claimed at least 14 lives and injured a staggering 750 individuals, as per state news agency IRNA's reports. The calamity struck more than 1,000km south of the capital, Tehran, on Saturday.

Helicopters were drafted in to douse the raging flames hours after the initial blast. The devastating explosion took place at the Shahid Rajaei port's chemical and sulfur container dock area.

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Hossein Zafari, a spokesperson for Iran's crisis management organization, hinted at the explosion's cause, placing blame on poor storage of chemicals in containers at Shahid Rajaei. According to ILNA news agency, he stated, "The cause of the explosion was the chemicals inside the containers."

Previous warnings from the director general of the crisis management team about the potential danger at this port were disregarded, as Zafari revealed.

However, an Iranian government spokesperson expressed caution, stating that while chemicals were likely the cause of the explosion, it remained unclear what exactly initiated the blast.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered an immediate investigation and dispatched his interior minister to the scene. The minister confirmed ongoing efforts to suppress the fire and prevent its spread to other areas.

The blaze persisted for more than 10 hours following the initial explosion. Choking smoke spread across the region, causing schools and offices in Bandar Abbas, the Hormozgan provincial capital, to be closed on Sunday to facilitate the emergency response efforts. Fortunately, oil facilities in the area were not affected.

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Privacy PolicyreCAPTCHAThe National Iranian Oil Products Refining and Distribution Company issued a statement assuring the public that the explosion had no bearing on their refineries, fuel tanks, distribution complexes, and oil pipelines.

Earlier, Hormozgan Ports and Maritime Administration official Esmaeil Malekizadeh reported that the explosion occurred near the Shahid Rajaei port dock.

Social media footage showed a mammoth plume of black smoke and a towering ball of fire originating from the explosion's site. Tragically, the aftermath also revealed damage to buildings and vehicles. Numerous individuals were captured on camera providing aid to the injured and assessing property damage.

Shahid Rajaei port mainly processes container traffic and is equipped with oil tanks and other petrochemical facilities. Dishearteningly, it was the target of a major cyberattack attributed to Israel in 2020, causing transport disruption for several days by crashing the facility's computer system.

These recent events transpired at a critical juncture, as Iranian officials actively engage in negotiations with U.S. officials regarding a potential new nuclear deal. However, there is no evidence connecting the 2025 explosion and fire to the ongoing nuclear talks or prior cyber hostilities. The Iranian government launched an investigation to ascertain the precise origins of the devastating accident and ensure preventative measures are implemented in the future.

[1] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/26/ireans-investigate-explosion-at-shahid-rajaei-port[3] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/26/world/middleeast/iran-port-explosion.html[4] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/iran-port-explosion-death-toll-b1830826.html

The explosion at Iran's Shahid Rajaei commercial port, situated more than 1,000km south of Tehran, has been identified as the cause of a breaking news event that claimed at least 14 lives and injured 750 individuals, according to IRNA's reports.
Hossein Zafari, a spokesperson for Iran's crisis management organization, stated that the explosion was due to the improper storage of chemicals within containers at Shahid Rajaei.
Previous warnings about the potential danger at this port were disregarded, as revealed by Zafari.
An Iranian government spokesperson issued cautions, stating that while chemicals were likely the cause, the exact trigger of the explosion remains unclear.
Meanwhile, the National Iranian Oil Products Refining and Distribution Company issued a statement to assure the public that their refineries, fuel tanks, distribution complexes, and oil pipelines were not affected by the explosion.
As investigations continue, it remains vital for the Iranian government to ensure preventative measures are implemented to avoid similar accidents in the future, particularly given the port's role in petrochemicals and the ongoing political negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program.

Massive blast at Iranian seaport leads to fatalities of at least 14, injures around 750; eyewitness accounts support claims with footage of smoky chaos and a fiery eruption.