Suspected chemical blast at Iran's Bandar Abbas kills 4, injures hundreds
A huge blast on Saturday likely caused by the explosion of chemical materials stored at Iran's biggest port, Bandar Abbas, killed at least four people and injured more than 500, Iranian state media reported.
A fuel tank exploded at Shahid Rajaee Port, prompting the deployment of emergency response teams and the suspension of port activities.
Port operations have been suspended.
There is no precise information yet regarding the number of casualties or fatalities. https://t.co/HEkCFGni2B
— Tasnim News Agency (@Tasnimnews_EN) April 26, 2025
The explosion, which hit the Shahid Rajaee section of the port, occurred as Iran began a third round of nuclear talks with the United States in Oman, but there was no immediate indication of a link between the two events.
Hossein Zafari, a spokesperson for Iran's crisis management organization, appeared to blame the explosion on poor storage of chemicals in containers at Shahid Rajaee.
'The cause of the explosion was the chemicals inside the containers,' he told Iran's ILNA news agency.
'Previously, the Director General of Crisis Management had given warnings to this port during their visits and had pointed out the possibility of danger,' Zafari said.
An Iranian government spokesperson, however, said that although chemicals had likely caused the blast, it was not yet possible to determine the exact reason.
Iran's official news channels aired footage of a vast black and orange cloud of smoke billowing up above the port in the aftermath of the blast, and an office building with its doors blown off and papers and debris strewn around.
Bandar Abbas is Iran's largest port and handles most of its containers in transit.
The blast shattered windows within a radius of several kilometers and was heard in Qeshm, an island 26 kilometers (16 miles) south of the port, Iranian media said.
The semi-official Tasnim news agency posted footage of injured men lying on the road being tended to amid scenes of confusion.
State TV earlier reported that poor handling of flammable materials was a 'contributing factor' to the explosion. A local crisis management official told state TV that the blast took place after several containers stored at the port exploded.
As relief workers tried to put out fires, the port's customs officials said trucks were being evacuated from the area and that the container yard where the explosion occurred likely contained 'dangerous goods and chemicals.' Activities at the port were halted after the blast, officials said.
Deadly incidents
A series of deadly incidents have hit Iranian energy and industrial infrastructure in recent years, with many, like Saturday's blast, blamed on negligence.
They have included refinery fires, a gas explosion at a coalmine, and an emergency repairs incident at Bandar Abbas killed one worker in 2023.
Iran has blamed some other incidents on its arch-foe Israel, which has carried out attacks on Iranian soil targeting Iran's nuclear program in recent years and last year bombed the country's air defenses.
Tehran said Israel was behind a February, 2024 attack on Iranian gas pipelines. And in 2020, computers at Shahid Rajaee were hit by a cyberattack. The Washington Post reported that Iran's arch-foe Israel appeared to be behind that incident as retaliation for an earlier Iranian cyberattack.
Israel has indicated it is nervous about the outcome of US-Iran talks, demanding a full dismantlement of Iran's nuclear program. Tehran says the program is used solely for peaceful purposes, while international observers say it is getting closer to being able to build a bomb.
There was no immediate comment from Israeli military or Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office when asked for comment on whether Israel was in any way involved in Saturday's explosion.
Oil facilities were not affected by the blast on Saturday, Iranian authorities said. The National Iranian Petroleum Refining and Distribution Company said in a statement that it had 'no connection to refineries, fuel tanks, distribution complexes and oil pipelines.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
an hour ago
- Saudi Gazette
US pulls nonessential staff from Middle East posts amid rising tensions
WASHINGTON — The United States has ordered the departure of nonessential staff from several diplomatic and military posts across the Middle East, citing rising regional tensions and the growing uncertainty around stalled nuclear talks with Iran. The State Department announced Wednesday it had directed nonessential personnel to leave the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Additionally, it authorized voluntary departure for staff and family members in Bahrain and Kuwait. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also approved the optional exit of military dependents across the region, according to U.S. Central Command. 'These decisions are based on the most recent security assessments and our unwavering commitment to the safety of Americans abroad,' said White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly. The move comes amid faltering negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, which U.S. officials say appears to be nearing a critical impasse. The sixth round of talks, tentatively planned for this weekend in Oman, now appears unlikely to proceed, according to two U.S. officials. President Donald Trump, speaking on the "Pod Force One" podcast, voiced skepticism about the potential for a deal. 'I'm getting more and more less confident about it,' he said, blaming delays on Tehran and hinting at potential military action should diplomacy fail. In response, Iran's Defense Minister Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh warned that any conflict would place all U.S. bases in the region within Iranian reach. 'If conflict is imposed on us, the opponent's casualties will certainly be more than ours,' he said, adding that Tehran was fully prepared to retaliate. The situation has also prompted maritime security concerns. The UK Maritime Trade Operations center issued a warning to vessels transiting the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and Strait of Hormuz, citing potential military escalation. Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency is considering a motion to censure Iran over its nuclear activities — a move that could reactivate UN sanctions suspended under the 2015 nuclear deal, which the Trump administration exited during his first term. While the U.S. drawdown affects only limited personnel, it signals growing concern about the stability of the region. Iraqi officials, however, downplayed the threat, noting no direct indicators of danger in Baghdad. — Agencies
Saudi Gazette
an hour ago
- Saudi Gazette
US pulls nonessential staff from Middle East posts amid rising tensions with Iran
WASHINGTON — The United States has ordered the departure of nonessential staff from several diplomatic and military posts across the Middle East, citing rising regional tensions and the growing uncertainty around stalled nuclear talks with Iran. The State Department announced Wednesday it had directed nonessential personnel to leave the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Additionally, it authorized voluntary departure for staff and family members in Bahrain and Kuwait. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also approved the optional exit of military dependents across the region, according to U.S. Central Command. 'These decisions are based on the most recent security assessments and our unwavering commitment to the safety of Americans abroad,' said White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly. The move comes amid faltering negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, which U.S. officials say appears to be nearing a critical impasse. The sixth round of talks, tentatively planned for this weekend in Oman, now appears unlikely to proceed, according to two U.S. officials. President Donald Trump, speaking on the "Pod Force One" podcast, voiced skepticism about the potential for a deal. 'I'm getting more and more less confident about it,' he said, blaming delays on Tehran and hinting at potential military action should diplomacy fail. In response, Iran's Defense Minister Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh warned that any conflict would place all U.S. bases in the region within Iranian reach. 'If conflict is imposed on us, the opponent's casualties will certainly be more than ours,' he said, adding that Tehran was fully prepared to retaliate. The situation has also prompted maritime security concerns. The UK Maritime Trade Operations center issued a warning to vessels transiting the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and Strait of Hormuz, citing potential military escalation. Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency is considering a motion to censure Iran over its nuclear activities — a move that could reactivate UN sanctions suspended under the 2015 nuclear deal, which the Trump administration exited during his first term. While the U.S. drawdown affects only limited personnel, it signals growing concern about the stability of the region. Iraqi officials, however, downplayed the threat, noting no direct indicators of danger in Baghdad. — Agencies
Saudi Gazette
3 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi FM meets Iranian and Egyptian counterparts in Oslo
Saudi Gazette Report OSLO — Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan held separate meetings with the foreign ministers of Iran and Egypt in Oslo on Wednesday. The meetings were held on the sidelines of the Oslo Forum 2025, held in the Norwegian capital. During the meeting between Prince Faisal and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, they reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries. The ministers discussed recent regional and international developments. The Saudi foreign minister also met with Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Expatriates Affairs Dr. Badr Abdelatty. They discussed bilateral relations and regional developments, including the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and the efforts being made to address them.
