18 Fatalities and Over 750 Injured: Cause of Massive Explosion in Iran Confirmed

Bandar Abbas, Iran - A towering plume of smoke rose high into the sky, followed by a massive wave of black smoke rolling over the port area. A catastrophic explosion occurred at Iran's most advanced container port, resulting in 18 confirmed deaths and more than 750 injuries, according to statements made by the Iranian Interior Minister, Eskandar Momeni, on a messaging platform.

The incident took place on Saturday at the Shahid Rajai Port in Bandar Abbas, where the force of the explosion was felt as far as 50 kilometers away. Witnesses reported that the ground shook and the pressure wave caused severe damage to most of the port's facilities, as noted by the Tasnim news agency.

Initially, the cause of the explosion was unclear, with various reports circulating about a possible administrative building explosion, containers, or a fuel tank detonation. Speculation also included the potential involvement of rocket fuel in the massive blast, and there were rumors of sabotage attributed to Israel, Iran's longstanding adversary. However, the government spokesperson urged caution against jumping to conclusions, emphasizing the need to rely on official information.

The Iranian Customs Authority later stated that the explosion was likely triggered by a fire in a warehouse containing chemicals and hazardous materials, attributing the disaster to negligence while handling flammable substances.

As the casualty count continued to rise, local authorities called for donations of blood to assist the critically injured. There are growing concerns that the death toll may increase further as the situation develops.

Firefighting efforts were extensive, employing helicopters to tackle the enormous blaze from the air. President Massud Peseschkian ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident and dispatched two ministers to assess the situation on-site with experts.

The explosion coincided with the third round of negotiations between Iran and the United States regarding the country's rapidly advancing nuclear program in the Persian Gulf. The Shahid Rajai Port, spanning approximately 2,400 hectares, is the largest container terminal in Iran, handling over 70 million tons of cargo annually.