A colossal explosion followed by a massive fire rattled a southern Iran port on Saturday, reportedly associated with a delivery intended for missile propellant production. The tragic event claimed the lives of 25 individuals and caused injuries to around 800 more.
Helicopters and planes tirelessly battled the conflagration at Shahid Rajaei port through Saturday night into the early hours of Sunday. The blast coincided with ongoing discussions between Iran and the United States in Oman regarding Iran’s fast-advancing nuclear initiatives.
While no direct accusations of an attack emerged, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi noted that their security forces were on heightened alert, referencing previous plots of sabotage and assassination meant to elicit defensive responses.
According to state media, only 10 victims have been successfully identified, two of whom were women. Despite the severe incident, state television reported efforts to gain control over the fire, forecasting its full extinguishment later on Sunday. Broadcasts showed normal port activities resuming, including the unloading of containers from a commercial vessel.
Details about the catalyst for the fire were sparse, but it initially ignited near Bandar Abbas and reportedly triggered additional container explosions. The private security company, Ambrey, disclosed that the port received a shipment of a missile fuel chemical in March. This consignment of ammonium perchlorate from China, as first mentioned by the Financial Times in January, was intended to replenish Iran’s missile stocks after significant usage in conflicts with Israel linked to the Hamas events in Gaza.
Ambrey suggested that the mishandling of solid fuel meant for ballistic missiles caused the fire. However, a response from Iran’s defense ministry spokesperson General Reza Talaeinik on Sunday denied any missile fuel imports at the site, labeling international reports as unfounded.
Ship monitoring data confirmed the presence of one vessel, among the two allegedly carrying the chemical, in March near the incident site. The Iranian government has not officially recognized receiving this shipment. It remains unclear why these chemicals weren’t relocated post-arrival, particularly considering the devastating Beirut port blast in 2020, which resulted from volatile ammonium nitrate.
Video footage on social media captured the explosion’s dramatic moments with reddish-tinged smoke rising before detonation, implying a chemical reaction, drawing parallels to Beirut’s catastrophe. A frantic voice in one of the videos urges others to move away from the approaching danger, emphasizing an imminent explosion.
Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency relayed statements from the Customs Administration, attributing the explosion to hazardous materials stocked within the port area, though specifics were omitted. Aerial visuals post-blast depicted scattered fires across multiple sites within the port. Authorities cautioned residents about potential air pollution from various harmful chemicals. Consequently, educational institutions and offices in Bandar Abbas announced closures for Sunday.
This incident follows the targeted cyberattack on the Shahid Rajaei port by Israel in 2020. This was in retaliation for alleged Iranian cyberattacks on Israeli water infrastructure. Although Israel refrained from commenting about Saturday’s explosion, the port remains a critical hub for Iranian cargo transportation.
Social media channels showcased striking images of dense black smoke and widespread glass damages kilometers away. Television footage revealed crowded emergency rooms with wounded individuals being hurried into medical facilities. Provincial disaster management indicated the explosion originated from port-related containers, while reports surfaced of building collapses, albeit without further elaboration.
In response to the incident, Iran’s Interior Ministry initiated an in-depth investigation. Additionally, President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed his heartfelt sympathies to those impacted by the disaster.
Located approximately 1,050 kilometers southeast of Tehran, the Shahid Rajaei port in Hormozgan province resides near the Strait of Hormuz, a pivotal narrow passage for 20% of global oil trade.