Iran’s largest commercial port, Shahid Rajaee Port, turned into a scene of devastation after a massive explosion on Saturday killed 70 people and injured over 1,000 others. Firefighters are still battling the blaze two days later, near the strategic Strait of Hormuz — a vital global oil shipping route.
According to Mehrdad Hassanzadeh, crisis management director of Hormozgan province, most of the injured have now been discharged from hospitals after receiving treatment. However, the death toll continues to rise as rescue and recovery efforts persist.
Minister Points to “Negligence” and Safety Violations
On Monday, Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni stated on state TV that the blast was due to “shortcomings, noncompliance with safety precautions, and negligence.” He added that the culprits had been identified and summoned as part of an ongoing investigation.
The port’s customs office initially reported that the explosion likely started from a fire in a hazardous chemical storage depot. CCTV footage circulating online showed a small fire and smoke building up before a massive fireball engulfed nearby areas, forcing workers and vehicles to scramble for safety.
Heavy Smoke and National Mourning
Images from the Iranian Red Crescent and state TV show firefighters still struggling to extinguish the last pockets of fire, with heavy black smoke filling the sky. Authorities have shut down schools and offices in the nearby area, urging residents to stay indoors and wear protective masks.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited the wounded in hospitals on Sunday, while authorities declared Monday a national day of mourning. In Hormozgan province, three days of mourning were announced.
Speculations and International Help
While Iranian officials are treating the blast as an accident, international reports offer varying theories. The New York Times cited a source linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps suggesting the explosion involved sodium perchlorate, a chemical used in missile fuel. However, Iran’s Defense Ministry denied any military cargo being stored at the site.
Meanwhile, Russia has sent specialists to assist Iranian authorities in extinguishing the fire.
The explosion comes amid sensitive nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Oman, adding a layer of geopolitical tension. Notably, The Washington Post previously reported that Israel conducted a cyberattack on Shahid Rajaee Port in 2020, though no such allegations have surfaced regarding this latest incident — yet.
As the investigation continues, Iran faces not only the human cost of this disaster but also growing questions about port security and crisis management at one of its most critical trade hubs.
