A massive explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port near Bandar Abbas, Iran's largest container terminal, killed four people and injured at least 516 others on Saturday, Iranian authorities said.
Babak Mahmoudi, head of Iran's national rescue organization, confirmed the fatalities on state television, as emergency crews continued to treat hundreds of victims at overwhelmed local hospitals. Videos circulated on social media showed a massive cloud of black smoke rising over the port, with the shockwave shattering windows and damaging buildings several kilometers away.
Mehrdad Hasanzadeh, a provincial disaster management official, told Iranian state TV that the explosion originated from a group of containers at the port but provided no further details on what sparked the blast. Iranian security officials warned against speculation, stating that the cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
State television aired footage of ambulances rushing to the scene, while images showed wounded individuals lying on the roadside awaiting medical attention. The Interior Ministry announced that an official investigation had been launched into the incident.
Authorities ruled out damage to Iran's vital energy infrastructure, despite the port's proximity to key oil refineries and shipping operations. Shahid Rajaee port, located approximately 1,050 kilometers southeast of Tehran along the Strait of Hormuz, handles an estimated 80 million tons of goods annually and is considered a strategic hub for Iran's economy.
Industrial accidents are not uncommon in Iran, especially at aging oil and industrial facilities facing equipment shortages under international sanctions. However, Shahid Rajaee port was previously targeted in 2020 by a suspected Israeli cyberattack, raising concerns among analysts about potential vulnerabilities in Iran's critical infrastructure.
The explosion occurred against a sensitive political backdrop, as Iranian and U.S. officials held their third round of negotiations in Oman on Saturday over Tehran's nuclear program. While there has been no official linkage between the talks and the blast, the timing raised questions about security stability in the region.
Videos aired by Iranian media showed destroyed structures and emergency responders navigating piles of debris. State outlets confirmed reports of at least one building collapse but did not release additional specifics.
