Massive explosion at major Iranian port kills 14
The impact of the explosion was reportedly felt as far as 50 kilometers (31 miles) away.
At least 14 people were killed and over 750 injured in a powerful explosion at one of Iran’s primary ports, according to authorities.
The blast occurred at Shahid Rajaee, Iran’s largest commercial port, located near Bandar Abbas in the south, on Saturday morning. It shattered windows and roofs of nearby buildings and destroyed vehicles.
The impact of the explosion was reportedly felt as far as 50 kilometers (31 miles) away.
Verified videos from the BBC show the fire intensifying before a massive blast, with people fleeing the area and others lying injured on roads amid smoking debris.
A witness, who was present at the scene, described the chaos, stating, "The entire warehouse was filled with smoke, dust, and ash. I don't remember if I went under the table or was thrown there by the blast," while speaking to state TV.
Aerial footage revealed at least three areas on fire, and Iran’s Interior Minister later confirmed that the flames were spreading from one container to another.
In response, schools and offices in the region were ordered to stay closed on Sunday.
A private maritime risk firm suggested that the containers involved may have contained solid fuel intended for ballistic missiles.
Ambrey Intelligence noted that improper handling of such a shipment caused the fire, which was linked to rocket fuel.
The firm also confirmed that an Iran-flagged ship had unloaded a shipment of sodium perchlorate rocket fuel at the port in March 2025.
According to witnesses cited by state media, the explosion occurred after a fire spread to containers that were not properly sealed and contained flammable materials.
Customs officials later issued a statement, as reported by Iranian state TV, suggesting that the explosion likely resulted from a fire that started in a storage facility for hazardous and chemical materials.
In an updated report, Ambrey Intelligence quoted Iran's National Disaster Management Organisation, which noted that officials had previously raised concerns with Shahid Rajaee port about the safe storage of chemicals.
Shahid Rajaee port, located on the Strait of Hormuz, is Iran's largest and most advanced terminal, serving as a key point for much of the country's commercial shipping.
The port is approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) west of Bandar Abbas, Iran's main southern port city and home to the Iranian Navy's principal base.
Iran's national oil production company confirmed that the explosion had no connection to the country's oil refineries, fuel tanks, or pipelines, according to local media reports.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed his "deep regret and sympathy" for the victims, announcing a government investigation and dispatching the interior minister to the region to oversee it.
The explosion occurred during the latest round of negotiations between Iranian and US officials regarding Iran's nuclear programme.
US President Donald Trump is seeking a deal to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Mediated through Oman, both sides reported progress, though Iran's chief negotiator stated that further work was required to bridge remaining differences.
Talks are set to continue next week.
Iran has expressed a willingness to accept some limitations on its nuclear programme in exchange for the easing of sanctions but remains firm in its position that it will not halt uranium enrichment, insisting that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.