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A significant explosion and subsequent fire occurred on Saturday at a port in southern Iran, linked to a chemical shipment used in missile propellant manufacturing. The incident resulted in the deaths of eight individuals and approximately 750 injuries.
In the aftermath of the initial blast, helicopters were deployed to douse the fire that continued to rage for hours. This explosion took place at Shahid Rajaei port in the midst of ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States concerning Tehran’s advancing nuclear program.
IRAN, US BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS OVER TEHRAN’S ADVANCING NUCLEAR PROGRAM
While there were no direct claims of an attack in Iran, the country’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is leading the negotiations, noted that security services are on high alert due to previous instances of sabotage and assassination that could provoke a national response.
Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni provided casualty details during an interview on state television. However, specifics surrounding the cause of the fire near Bandar Abbas remained scarce, as the blaze persisted into the night, leading to further explosions from nearby containers.
Security Analysis Indicates Chemical Shipment for Missile Fuel
According to the private security firm Ambrey, the port had received a shipment of “sodium perchlorate rocket fuel” in March. This shipment from China had been reported earlier as part of a larger effort to replenish Iran’s missile arsenal, which had diminished due to military actions targeting Israel during the ongoing conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
They further indicated that the fire might have been caused by the mishandling of this solid fuel intended for Iranian ballistic missiles. Ship-tracking analysis corroborated Ambrey’s claim, identifying a vessel linked to the chemical’s transport around the time in question. Iran has not publicly acknowledged the arrival of this shipment, and inquiries made to the Iranian mission at the United Nations yielded no responses.
Given the precedents set by the catastrophic Beirut port explosion in 2020, which resulted in over 200 fatalities from improperly stored chemicals, it raises questions as to why the volatile materials had not been removed from the port. Israel has previously targeted Iranian missile facilities and related operations.
Social media clips from the explosion showed a significant plume of reddish smoke preceding the blast, hinting at possible chemical involvement similar to that seen in the Beirut incident. Witnesses captured shouting warnings of an imminent explosion moments before the detonation.
Later reports from the state-run IRNA news agency attributed the explosion to a “stockpile of hazardous goods and chemical materials stored in the port area,” although specific details were lacking.
Aerial footage released post-explosion depicted multiple fires at distinct locations within the port, while authorities warned of potential air pollution due to chemicals released, including ammonia and sulfur dioxide. Schools in Bandar Abbas were ordered to close the following day.
Shahid Rajaei Port: A Key Cargo Hub
The Shahid Rajaei port has previously been targeted, notably during a 2020 cyberattack attributed to Israel, which followed allegations of Iran attempting cyberattacks on Israeli infrastructure. As of Saturday, Israeli officials did not comment on the recent incident.
Videos circulated on social media revealed thick black smoke billowing from the site, with reports of shattered glass from structures located several kilometers away. State media showed injured individuals being transported to hospitals as emergency services responded swiftly.
Hasanzadeh, a local disaster management official, confirmed that the explosion originated from containers at the Shahid Rajaei port but provided little additional context. Reports indicated that a building had also collapsed due to the force of the blast.
The Interior Ministry has initiated an investigation into the incident, while President Masoud Pezeshkian extended condolences to families impacted by the disaster.
Situated roughly 650 miles southeast of Tehran, Shahid Rajaei port lies along the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage through which approximately 20% of global oil trade occurs.
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