A massive explosion occurred at the Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas, southern Iran, on Saturday, resulting in at least five fatalities and over 700 injuries, as reported by state media.
The exact cause of the explosion has not yet been determined; however, Iranian authorities have indicated that it was unlikely to be an act of sabotage or a deliberate attack.
An official from the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency suggested that the blast was likely triggered by containers of chemicals that had caught fire, which produced significant clouds of black smoke, as confirmed by footage distributed by an Iranian broadcaster and social media videos verified by news sources.
In response to the incident, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that the country's interior minister would be traveling to the area to oversee an investigation. He expressed “deep sorrow and sympathy” for the casualties resulting from the explosion.
Bandar Abbas is strategically positioned near the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping lane for global oil and natural gas trade.
In 2020, operations at the Shahid Rajaee port were disrupted by a cyberattack attributed to Israel, which has engaged in a long-standing shadow conflict with Iran. Israeli officials have not commented on the recent explosion.
In an effort to quell speculation about Israeli involvement, the Iranian attorney general's office released a statement condemning “online activists” who disseminated rumors that could compromise the “psychological security of society."
The explosion coincided with a third round of talks between American and Iranian officials in Oman regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
Recent reports indicated that Israel had considered military action against Iranian nuclear sites as early as next month; however, these plans were halted by Mr. Trump amid his push for negotiations with Tehran, while he also emphasized the importance of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, including through potential military means.