Everything we know about the massive blast at Iran's Bandar Abbas port

Fires were still raging on Sunday after a devastating explosion ripped through Iran's Shahid Rajaee Port, the country’s largest commercial harbour, on Saturday, killing at least 25 people and injuring around 800 others, according to Iranian media. Six people are still reported missing.

The port, located near Bandar Abbas in southern Iran and just north of the Strait of Hormuz - a vital waterway for global oil shipments - is a critical artery for the country’s trade. The blast has caused severe disruption, leaving the facility crippled for now.

What happened?

According to Iran's customs authorities, the explosion occurred in a storage area packed with hazardous and chemical materials.

State TV reported that several containers had caught fire and exploded. Some reports, including in The New York Times, cited sources with ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps saying that sodium perchlorate (a key chemical used in missile fuel) was among the materials involved.

Live footage showed black smoke towering over the port, with damaged buildings, scorched vehicles, and rescuers scrambling through rubble. The shockwave was felt up to 50 kilometres away, Fars news agency reported.

Though Iranian officials say the fire is now largely contained, pockets of flames remain active more than 24 hours later.

Why is Shahid Rajaee Port important?

Shahid Rajaee is the beating heart of Iran's trade network. Built in 2005, it covers 4,800 hectares and handles over 100 million tonnes of goods annually, accounting for about 70 percent of Iran's maritime trade and 90 percent of its container shipments. It is second only to Dubai's Jebel Ali Port in the region by container capacity.

Beyond its sheer size, its location near the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil output passes, adds to its strategic significance.

What are the consequences so far?

Aside from the heavy human toll, the explosion has caused catastrophic damage to port infrastructure, administrative offices, and storage facilities. Local authorities have not yet provided precise figures on the economic losses, but state media warn they are likely to be extensive.

Operations at the port have largely halted, although Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni said on Sunday that container loading and customs activities had partially resumed in less-affected areas.

The impact has been felt beyond the port itself. The city of Bandar Abbas shut down all schools and government offices on Sunday due to thick smoke and air pollution. The health ministry urged residents to stay indoors and use protective masks.

Mourning and solidarity

In response to the tragedy, authorities declared three days of public mourning across Hormozgan Province. Blood donation centres issued urgent calls for help as hundreds of casualties overwhelmed local hospitals. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed sympathy for the victims and their families, pledging a thorough investigation into the causes of the explosion.

Expressions of solidarity came from the region as well. The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia both sent condolences to Iran. China reported that three of its nationals working at the port were lightly injured.

Is there any suspicion of foul play?

Although Iranian authorities are treating the blast as an accident pending the outcome of investigations, the timing has raised eyebrows. The explosion occurred as Iranian and US delegations held indirect nuclear talks in Oman, and amid ongoing regional tensions between Iran and Israel.

In 2020, The Washington Post reported that Israel had launched a cyberattack targeting the Shahid Rajaee Port, causing significant disruption to shipping. Some Iranian analysts have pointed to the possibility of sabotage this time as well, although no evidence has yet been made public.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed his condolences to the victims' families and ordered a full investigation into the cause of the explosion.

Authorities are focusing on extinguishing the remaining fires, treating the injured, and assessing the full scale of the damage. Given Shahid Rajaee's importance, restoring operations at the port will be a top economic priority for Iran.

Meanwhile, investigators will be under pressure to determine whether the explosion was the result of negligence, mishandling of hazardous materials, or something more deliberate.