A large explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port in the southern Iranian city of Bandar Abbas on Saturday has left at least 516 people injured, according to state media. The cause of the blast remains unclear, although local authorities have confirmed that several containers stored at the port’s wharf area exploded, triggering a major fire.
“We are currently evacuating and transferring the injured to medical centers,” a local crisis management official told state television. The explosion caused significant damage, with a large fire still being fought by emergency responders. Authorities indicated that the port’s container yard, where the explosion took place, likely contained hazardous materials and chemicals.
The explosion shattered windows in the surrounding area, and footage shared online showed a mushroom cloud rising after the blast. The explosion was reportedly heard on the nearby island of Qeshm, located 26 kilometers south of Bandar Abbas. The injured were shown in images lying on the road, receiving medical attention in chaotic scenes.
While the exact cause of the explosion is under investigation, state TV reported that negligence in handling flammable materials may have contributed to the blast. No oil facilities were affected, with the National Iranian Petroleum Refining and Distribution Company issuing a statement confirming that the explosion had no connection to the country’s refineries or oil infrastructure.
The blast occurred amid the start of a third round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Oman, but there has been no indication of any connection between the two events. In 2020, the port was also targeted by a cyberattack that caused severe disruptions, with reports suggesting that Israel was behind the incident as a retaliatory measure.
There has been no official comment from Israel regarding Saturday’s explosion.