A huge explosion hit Iran’s largest commercial port, Shahid Rajaee, near the southern city of Bandar Abbas on Saturday morning, killing at least 14 people and injuring more than 750, reported by BBC News.
The blast damaged nearby buildings, shattered windows, and destroyed cars. People living up to 50 kilometers away reported feeling the shockwave. Videos confirmed by the BBC show a fire growing quickly before a massive explosion, followed by people running and others injured on the streets covered in debris.
One eyewitness told state TV, “The whole warehouse was full of smoke and ashes. I don’t remember if I hid under a table or was thrown there by the blast.”
Aerial footage showed fires still burning in several areas. Iran’s interior minister said the fire was moving from one container to another. As a safety measure, schools and offices in the area are closed until further notice.
A private security company, Ambrey Intelligence, believes that containers filled with solid fuel for ballistic missiles were involved. They said an Iran-flagged ship had delivered sodium perchlorate rocket fuel to the port in March 2025.
Iranian customs officials stated that the fire likely started in a hazardous materials storage area and that safety warnings had previously been given to the port authorities.
Luckily, Iran’s national oil company confirmed that the explosion did not affect oil refineries, pipelines, or fuel tanks nearby.
President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed deep regret for the victims and has ordered a full investigation. He also sent the interior minister to lead recovery efforts on the ground.
The explosion happened while Iran and the United States were in the middle of important nuclear talks, mediated by Oman. Both sides reported some progress but admitted there are still issues to work through. Talks are expected to continue next week.
Iran has said it is willing to limit its nuclear program if sanctions are lifted, but insists it will keep enriching uranium for peaceful purposes.
These negotiations are the highest-level discussions between Iran and the U.S. since 2018, when President Trump withdrew from a previous nuclear agreement.
