Iran: An enormous explosion at Iran’s southern Shahid Rajaee port has killed at least 18 people and injured more than 700. The blast has triggered widespread devastation and a state of emergency in Bandar Abbas, home to the country’s largest port facility.
Iranian authorities have not yet released an official conclusion regarding the blast, and the provincial attorney general has ordered a “thorough and urgent” investigation into the incident.
The blast destroyed at least one nearby building and shattered windows across a large area. Firefighting efforts, involving both aerial and naval teams, were rapidly deployed.
Following the explosion, all port activities at Shahid Rajaee were suspended. Iranian customs authorities immediately halted export and transit operations through the facility.
However, the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company assured that nearby refineries, tankers, and pipelines were operating normally and remained unaffected.
Iran’s Martyr Rajaee Port has fully resumed operations. pic.twitter.com/romDuSMDQM
— Iran Military (@IRIran_Military) April 26, 2025
Shahid Rajaee is a vital artery for Iran’s economy, handling approximately 80 million tons of goods annually. The port has been a strategic target in the past; in 2020, it suffered a significant cyberattack that disrupted operations.
Iranian infrastructure has faced a series of damaging incidents in recent years, including a 2024 coal mine blast that killed 31 people, which authorities attributed to negligence.
Tehran has accused Israel of involvement in several other sabotage operations, including last year’s attack on Iranian gas pipelines. Israeli officials have not commented on the latest explosion.
The explosion comes at a critical diplomatic moment. Iran and the United States were engaged in a third round of nuclear negotiations in Oman on the same day the blast occurred.
US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi, mediated by Omani officials, held six hours of talks to shape a potential framework for a new nuclear agreement.
