On Sunday, President Masoud Pezeshkian visited the Shahid Rajaei port near Bandar Abbas, Iran, where a catastrophic explosion occurred the previous day. The blast has resulted in 40 fatalities and injured approximately 1,000 individuals. Reports indicate that the explosion may be linked to the improper handling of a shipment of ammonium perchlorate from China, intended for missile production.
Despite Iran’s military denying the importation of missile fuel, videos and satellite imagery reveal a scene of devastation, with a deep crater and extensively damaged containers scattered across the port. Firefighting efforts included helicopters and heavy cargo planes dumping seawater onto the smouldering site. Local authorities announced that schools and businesses in the vicinity would remain closed due to safety concerns.
Pezeshkian expressed the need for an investigation into the cause of the explosion during a televised meeting with officials. Iranian state media reported that the fire was beginning to be brought under control, and Governor Mohammad Ashouri indicated a three-day mourning period for the victims. By Sunday, 190 individuals remained hospitalised but most injuries were not life-threatening.
While foreign analysts have linked the incident to the use of missile fuel for Iranian ballistic missiles, the Iranian Defence Ministry’s spokesman rejected these claims, asserting that no military-related shipments were present at the site. However, prior reports suggested that the port had received a shipment of ammonium perchlorate, a chemical component used in solid rocket propellant, indicating that it may have been associated with military applications.
As the investigation continues, there are calls for clarity regarding the exact materials that caused the explosion, which has drawn comparisons to a previous incident in Beirut. In a display of international solidarity, Russian President Vladimir Putin has dispatched emergency support to the affected area. The incident underscores ongoing tensions related to Iran’s military capabilities and its broader geopolitical implications in the region.