A massive explosion and fire rocked the Shahid Rajaei port near Bandar Abbas in southern Iran on Saturday, killing five people and injuring over 700 others. The blast, linked to a shipment of a chemical used for missile propellant, occurred as Iran and the United States held nuclear talks in Oman.
Iranian officials have not attributed the explosion to an attack but have acknowledged heightened security alerts due to prior sabotage threats. Authorities stated the explosion was unrelated to the oil industry, although the port had recently received sodium perchlorate rocket fuel from China, intended for Iran’s missile stocks.
Private security firm Ambrey suggested the fire was caused by improper handling of the missile fuel. Social media footage showed thick black and reddish smoke rising just before the massive detonation, consistent with a chemical explosion. Witnesses captured dramatic moments of people urging others to evacuate seconds before the blast.
The Shahid Rajaei port, crucial for Iranian cargo, had previously been targeted in a 2020 cyberattack attributed to Israel. Saturday’s explosion caused glass to shatter kilometers away and led to a building collapse. Hospitals were overwhelmed with injured people, and a full investigation has been launched.
The tragic incident underscores ongoing safety concerns for travelers and shipping operations through Bandar Abbas, a major gateway situated at the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil transport.
Source: Swifteradio.com
