Iran (IMNA) - The Red Crescent Society and other emergency responders quickly mobilized, with at least twenty rapid response teams and five helicopters dispatched to the scene.
Shahid Rajaee Port, Iran’s largest commercial port, is strategically located about 15 kilometers southwest of Bandar Abbas on the northern shore of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil transit route. The port handles approximately 80 million tons of goods annually and is a critical hub for the country's maritime trade.
The exact cause of the explosion remains under investigation. However, officials indicated that the blast originated from several containers in the port’s wharf area, which likely contained hazardous chemicals. The Customs Administration of Iran cited a "stockpile of hazardous goods and chemical materials stored in the port area" as the probable source, though did not elaborate further. Social media footage showed a large mushroom cloud and thick black and orange smoke rising above the port, with windows shattered kilometers away and significant damage to cargo containers and port infrastructure.
The explosion was so powerful that it completely destroyed an administrative building and severely damaged many vehicles in the vicinity. All port operations were immediately suspended as emergency and security teams worked to secure the area, and a state of emergency was declared at hospitals across Bandar Abbas in anticipation of mass casualties.
Medical centers in Hormozgan, as well as in Fars, Kerman, and even some in Tehran, were placed on high alert and prepared to receive the injured. The wounded were transferred to local hospitals for treatment, and the Emergency Operations Center was put on alert to monitor relief efforts in real time.
Senior officials, including Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Red Crescent head Pirhossein Kolivand, traveled to Bandar Abbas to oversee the response. President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed deep sorrow over the incident and offered his condolences to the families of the victims, while First Vice-President Mohammad-Reza Aref ordered immediate and comprehensive investigations into the cause and extent of the damage.
Authorities have denied any connection between the explosion and oil industry infrastructure, stating that refineries, fuel tanks, and pipelines in the area remain unaffected and operational. The incident coincided with ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations in Oman, adding to the event's political sensitivity.
While speculation about sabotage or attack has not been confirmed, Iranian officials acknowledged heightened security due to past incidents of sabotage and attempts at provocation. The investigation into the precise cause of the explosion continues.
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