Iran’s Interior Minister has blamed serious safety failures and negligence for a devastating explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port, the country’s largest commercial shipping hub. The blast, which occurred on Saturday near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, has so far claimed over 70 lives and injured more than 1,000 people.
The explosion sparked a major fire that raged for two days, with firefighters still working to bring it under control by Monday, according to Iranian state media. Mehrdad Hassanzadeh, the crisis response head for Hormozgan province, confirmed the rising death toll and noted that most injured individuals had been treated and released from hospitals. He added that firefighting operations were nearing completion.
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Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, speaking on state TV, said that those responsible for the disaster had been identified and summoned for questioning. He cited serious lapses in safety protocols and noncompliance with regulations as key factors behind the explosion. Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident.
Television broadcasts and images from the Iranian Red Crescent showed scenes of widespread destruction—collapsed shipping containers, smoldering wreckage, and thick plumes of black smoke—while helicopters hovered overhead and emergency crews battled the flames.
In response, the government declared Monday a national day of mourning. Additionally, a three-day mourning period began on Sunday across Hormozgan province. Schools and government offices in the area were shut down, and local residents were advised to stay indoors and wear masks due to toxic smoke in the air.
Officials said the explosion originated at a warehouse storing hazardous and chemical materials. Surveillance footage circulating online appeared to show a fire starting near a stack of containers, with orange-brown smoke rising before a sudden explosion scattered vehicles and personnel.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited the nearby city of Bandar Abbas on Sunday, checking in on victims in hospitals and overseeing relief efforts.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the explosion.
While Iranian authorities maintain the explosion was accidental, speculation continues. The New York Times cited a source linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard who claimed the explosion involved sodium perchlorate—a chemical used in rocket fuel. However, Defence Ministry spokesman Reza Talaei-Nik dismissed those reports, saying no military materials were stored or transported through the port.
The incident coincided with sensitive diplomatic talks between Iranian and U.S. officials in Oman regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
It’s worth noting that Shahid Rajaee Port was previously the target of a suspected Israeli cyberattack in 2020, amid escalating regional tensions.
In a show of support, Russia—an Iranian ally—has sent technical teams to assist in firefighting efforts.
