The Shahid Rajaee Port Explosion (2025) refers to the major blast and fire that occurred at Shahid Rajaee Port, located in Bandar Abbas, Iran, on April 26, 2025. The event caused significant casualties, widespread injuries, and severe material damage.

_{Shahid Rajaee Port Explosion, April 26, 2025 – InfosFrancaises}

Explosion and Immediate Impact

The explosion took place in the early afternoon hours at Shahid Rajaee Port, situated in the southern Hormozgan Province and recognized as Iran's largest container port. The blast reportedly originated in the hazardous materials and chemical storage area. The force of the explosion shattered windows across several kilometers, toppled containers, and inflicted substantial structural damage. A fire broke out following the blast, which could not be fully extinguished despite firefighting efforts that continued throughout the night. Helicopters and heavy cargo aircraft transported seawater to the site to assist in firefighting operations.

_{Shahid Rajaee Port Explosion, April 26, 2025 – Anadolu Agency}

Casualties and Injuries

Initially, 47 injuries were reported; however, as the situation unfolded, the number of injured individuals exceeded 1,200, with at least 46 fatalities confirmed. Pir Hossein Kolivand, head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, stated that most of the injured were treated on an outpatient basis, while 190 individuals remained hospitalized. In response to the tragedy, the Hormozgan provincial government declared three days of local mourning, and a one-day national mourning period was announced across Iran.

Possible Causes of the Explosion

Officials from Iran's Crisis Management Organization and the Iranian Customs Administration reported that the explosion stemmed from a fire that erupted in the container yard storing hazardous and chemical substances. No definitive official statement on the exact cause has been issued.

The Iranian Ministry of Defense denied allegations suggesting that the explosion was related to a military shipment or materials containing missile fuel. The Ministry emphasized that no military-grade materials were present at the site.

Some international sources speculated that shipments carrying ammonium perchlorate from China had arrived at the port in March 2025, and improper storage of this chemical might have triggered the explosion. Iranian authorities have not confirmed this information.

Emergency Response and Port Operations

All operations at Shahid Rajaee Port were temporarily suspended following the explosion. The Iranian Customs Administration announced that all export shipments from the port had been halted until further notice. While emergency teams continued operations in the areas affected by the fire, limited cargo handling and customs activities resumed in unaffected sections of the port.

Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh conducted inspections at the site. They reported that the main areas of the port had been stabilized, with only a portion sustaining extensive damage. Officials announced that by April 27, 2025, primary operations in most sections of the port had resumed. Firefighting crews and aerial units continued their efforts to fully extinguish the remaining fires, with the blaze largely brought under control by April 27.

Domestic and International Reactions

On April 27, 2025, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited the explosion site, met with the injured, and pledged support for the families affected by the disaster. Pezeshkian emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to fully determine the causes of the incident.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in his statement regarding the event, stressed that security and judicial authorities must meticulously investigate whether negligence or deliberate actions played a role. He also called on all officials to take the necessary precautions to prevent similar incidents in the future.

In a gesture of solidarity, Russia dispatched expert teams and firefighting aircraft to assist with extinguishing the blaze. The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India, Turkey, Russia, and the United Nations conveyed their condolences to Iran following the explosion. Hezbollah in Lebanon also issued a statement of solidarity. In addition, the German Embassy in Tehran and China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released messages of condolence and support.

Investigation and Assessments

The investigation into the cause of the explosion remains ongoing. Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani urged the public and media to refrain from speculation, noting that definitive conclusions would be announced upon the completion of the official investigation.

Officials from Iran’s Crisis Management Organization reported that prior warnings had been issued regarding the long-term storage of chemical materials at the port, which was identified as a significant safety risk.

The Iranian Ministry of Defense rejected claims suggesting that the explosion was connected to military shipments, asserting that no military-grade materials were present at the site. Satellite imagery captured after the explosion revealed extensive black smoke and a large crater at the port area.