WANA (Apr 27) – On Saturday, April 26, 2025, a massive explosion occurred at Iran’s Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas, resulting in 25 confirmed deaths, six missing persons, and over 800 injuries. Precise information about the cause of this tragic incident has not yet been released.

 

The President of Iran has ordered an immediate investigation into the cause of the explosion, and the Interior Minister has been dispatched to the site on behalf of the government. Additionally, the Minister of Roads and Urban Development and the acting head of the Ports and Maritime Organization have been sent to Shahid Rajaee Port to manage the situation.

 

During his visit to the scene, Iran’s Interior Minister, Eskandar Momeni, stated that firefighting efforts began at noon on the day of the incident and that around 80% of the fire has been brought under control so far. He added, “Thanks to the high-risk and brave efforts of the emergency teams, the fire-affected area was isolated from other sections, successfully preventing the spread of the flames.” Momeni expressed hope that the remaining fire would be fully extinguished within a few hours.

 

Following the explosion, unloading, loading, and clearance operations at Shahid Rajaee Port were suspended on April 26, but activities have gradually resumed today. According to Farzaneh Sadegh, Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development, permission has been granted for the first vessel to dock after the incident, and loading and unloading operations in other zones of the port are continuing as usual.

 

Customs inspections indicate that Shahid Rajaee Port is not a major hub for importing essential goods, accounting for only about 8% of such imports. Over 58% of Iran’s essential goods are imported through Imam Khomeini Port Customs, followed by Amirabad Port with a 13% share.

 

Field reports show that there were no containers holding essential goods in the explosion area, as most essential items are imported in bulk through other sections.

 

General Talaei-Nik, spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics stated: There were no imported or exported shipments related to fuel or military use in the area of the fire or anywhere within Shahid Rajaee Port.

 

He said: Some of the rumours being spread, fueled by targeted campaigns from foreign media in line with the psychological operations of enemies, are not unprecedented.

 

Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesman for Iran’s National Security Commission said: “According to initial reports, what caught fire in the Shahid Rajaee Port incident has no connection to the country’s defense sector.”

 

In response to the incident, the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) announced that it would continue its services without interruption to meet the needs of industries and the public.

 

Iran’s Customs Authority announced that in the Shahid Rajaee Port incident, export containers carrying bitumen and paraffin caught fire and are still burning. Several imported containers containing chemical materials also became engulfed in flames.

 

Investigations into the cause of the explosion are still ongoing.