Social media videos show a giant plume of black smoke and a ball of fire rising from an area of explosion.
At least four people have been killed and more than 500 injured in a massive explosion and fire at Iran’s largest commercial port, authorities say.
“Unfortunately, at least four people have been confirmed to have been killed by rescuers,” Babak Mahmoudi, director of the Red Crescent Association’s rescue rescue team, told state television on Saturday.
Iranian state media reported that at least 516 people were injured in the explosion at Shahid Rajaei Port, located more than 1,000 km (620 miles) south of the capital Tehran.
Television in the Iranian province said the initial report showed negligence in storing flammable materials at the site, but the Tehran Times reported that some vessels were the first cause of the explosion.
Meldad Hassanzadeh, director of the crisis management organization in Hormozgan, told state television that the injured have been moved to medical facilities.
He said safety officials had previously visited the incident site and issued safety warnings.
[Translation: The moment of the explosion at Shahid Rajaei Port]None #انفجاردربندArtiwane Tea #بندر pic.twitter.com/aal6hkqmhj
– April 26, 2025
The National Iranian petroleum product refining and distribution company has issued a statement that oil facilities in the region have not been affected by the explosion.
“The explosion and fire at Shahid Rajaei Port have no connection to the refineries, fuel tanks, distribution facilities or oil pipelines associated with the company,” the company said.
Previously, Esmaelil Malekizadeh, a civil servant at the Port of Hormozgan and Maritime Bureau, said the explosion occurred near Shahid Rajay port.
Social media videos showed a huge plume of black smoke and a ball of fire rising from the explosion area.
Other videos have damaged buildings and vehicles. Several people were also seen around the area attending the injured and checking for damage to the property.
Shahid Rajaei ports primarily handle container traffic and also have oil tanks and other petrochemical facilities.
In May 2020, Israel was accused of launching a massive cyberattack at the same port, causing disruptions in transport for several days after the facility’s computer systems crashed.
The explosion comes at a sensitive time as Iranian officials continue to talk with US officials about possible new nuclear deals.
