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A significant explosion and fire occurred at the Shahid Rajaei port in southern Iran on Saturday, reportedly linked to a shipment of a chemical component used for missile propellant. The incident resulted in four fatalities and over 500 injuries.
The blast coincided with ongoing negotiations in Oman between Iran and the United States regarding Tehran’s quickly advancing nuclear program.
Although Iranian officials have not directly attributed the explosion to an attack, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged that security services were on heightened alert due to previous instances of sabotage and assassination attempts that could provoke a forceful response.
Authorities initially provided limited information about the cause of the explosion, located near Bandar Abbas, but denied any connection to the oil sector.
Reports from the private security firm Ambrey indicated that the port received a shipment of sodium perchlorate rocket fuel in March. This shipment was part of a larger delivery from China, intended to replenish Iran’s missile inventory, which had been diminished through direct military engagement with Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Ambrey noted that the fire likely stemmed from improper handling of solid fuel meant for Iranian ballistic missiles. Moreover, ship-tracking data suggests that one of the vessels reputed to have transported these chemicals was near the port during the time of the blast. Despite this, Iran has not officially confirmed the receipt of the shipment, and inquiries to the Iranian mission at the United Nations concerning the matter went unanswered.
The reasons for Iran not relocating hazardous materials from the port remain unclear, particularly in light of the catastrophic Beirut port explosion in 2020, which was caused by improperly stored ammonium nitrate and resulted in over 200 deaths. The country has faced targeted strikes on missile sites, where industrial mixers are utilized to produce solid fuels.
Footage captured during the explosion depicted reddish smoke rising just prior to the blast, suggesting a chemical involvement. Eyewitnesses documented moments before the explosion, with one individual warning others to evacuate the area.
The state-run IRNA news agency later announced that the explosion was attributed to a “stockpile of hazardous goods and chemical materials stored in the port area,” though further details remained undisclosed.
The Shahid Rajaei port has been previously targeted, including a 2020 cyberattack attributed to Israel. This incident followed Israel’s claims of thwarting a cyberattack aimed at its water infrastructure, which they linked to Iran.
Social media clips displayed billowing black smoke, as well as visuals of shattered glass in buildings miles away from the explosion. State media documented the injured as they sought treatment in local hospitals, with medics responding urgently to the scene.
Mehrdad Hasanzadeh, an official with provincial disaster management, confirmed that first responders were working to reach the affected area while evacuation operations were underway. He noted that the explosion originated from containers at the Shahid Rajaei port, although specifics were not provided. Reports also indicated a building collapse due to the explosion, with scant details available.
In response to the incident, Iran’s Interior Ministry announced an investigation, while President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed condolences to those impacted.
Shahid Rajaei port, situated in Hormozgan province, is approximately 1,050 kilometers (650 miles) southeast of Tehran, lying along the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil trade.
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globalnews.ca