At Shahid Rajaee Port, Iran’s largest commercial facility, a major incident occurred — an explosion and a severe fire that resulted in the deaths of at least five people and injured over 700
The tragedy took place on Saturday morning, and details of the incident remain the subject of discussion and investigation. According to official sources citing Mehrrdad Hassan Zadeh, head of the Crisis Management Organization of Hormozgan Province, the number of casualties appears to be increasing, currently exceeding 700 people, with several dozen in critical condition. The disaster has shaken the local region and caused a wave of concern throughout the country and beyond. A source from Iran’s Customs Administration stated that specialists responsible for the explosion attributed blame to "stocks of hazardous materials and chemicals stored at the port." However, representatives of national oil companies assured that oil facilities in the area remained undamaged, and official statements have explained the situation as a result of a technogenic accident, without causing serious damage to the oil infrastructure. It is also recalled that earlier, the Ports and Maritime Communications Administration of Hormozgan announced that the explosion occurred near a cargo handling pier in the area. Officials emphasize that the incident was caused by technical failures or errors in the storage of hazardous materials. Investigations are still ongoing, and the exact causes of the incident are being established. Since March 2023, this is not the first large-scale tragedy at Iranian maritime facilities, which underscores a growing trend of increasing tension and uncertainty in the region, especially amid the country's complex internal political and economic situation. On Saturday morning, a series of explosions and fires erupted in the port zone, with casualties rising rapidly. This incident is yet another demonstration of how vulnerable Iran’s critical infrastructure can be amidst geopolitical tensions and internal challenges. In this context, global interest in the situation is intensifying, as issues of port security and logistical chain integrity are of worldwide importance. While Iranian authorities promise to investigate the causes of the incident as quickly and transparently as possible and to take necessary measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future, the public and the international community remain awaiting additional details. Information about the extent of the destruction and the condition of the injured is gradually emerging, but it is already clear — this tragedy will leave a significant mark on the safety and operation of the country’s port infrastructure, and will also lead to further restrictions and inspections in the storage and transportation of hazardous substances.