Over 400 injured, several feared dead as major explosion strikes Iran's Shahid Rajaee port

A powerful explosion struck the Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas, Iran, on Saturday, injuring over 400 people. The blast occurred in the container storage area of the port, causing widespread damage to nearby buildings and vehicles. Thick black smoke could be seen rising from the port, and rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the site to assist the injured and contain the fire. Authorities are working to identify the cause of the explosion, but initial reports confirm that several containers exploded at the wharf.

The port, located in the southern province of Hormozgan, is Iran's most advanced container terminal, handling vital shipping traffic and oil storage operations. It is situated approximately 1000 kilometers south of the capital Tehran and 23 kilometers west of Bandar Abbas. The explosion has disrupted operations at the port, with local authorities suspending activities to focus on emergency response efforts and extinguishing the fire.

Mehrdad Hassanzadeh, head of the province's crisis management authority, confirmed that the blast was triggered by the explosion of several containers stored at the port. Local officials have been evacuating the injured and transporting them to nearby medical centers for treatment. Emergency services are continuing their efforts to secure the area and provide assistance to those affected.

The explosion occurred amid the third round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States, taking place in Oman. The timing of the incident has drawn attention, although the cause of the explosion remains under investigation. Authorities are focused on ensuring the safety of the workers and preventing further damage to the facility.

Shahid Rajaee port has previously been a target of cyberattacks, with a significant incident in 2020 that caused disruptions to its operations. Given the port's importance to Iran’s economy and its strategic location near the Strait of Hormuz, which is critical for global oil shipments, the current explosion has raised concerns about potential security vulnerabilities.