BANDAR ABBAS, Iran — A major explosion was reported Tuesday at a key port facility in southern Iran, Iranian state media and local officials said, with fires reported at the site and emergency teams responding.
The blast occurred at the Shahid Rajaee port complex near Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan province, one of Iran's primary commercial ports handling a significant portion of the country's container traffic and located near the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian officials. Details on the exact time of the explosion and its cause remained unclear late Tuesday.
Iranian media reported fires burning at the facility following the explosion. Rescue and firefighting operations were underway, with initial reports indicating casualties and injuries, though precise numbers were not immediately confirmed by independent sources. Officials did not immediately provide details on the extent of damage to port infrastructure.
The Port of Shahid Rajaee serves as a critical hub for Iran's maritime trade. Previous incidents at the facility, including a large explosion in April 2025 that killed dozens and injured more than 1,000 people, were attributed by authorities to the detonation of chemical materials. Investigations into that event continued, with questions raised about storage practices and possible external factors.
No group has claimed responsibility for Tuesday's incident, and Iranian authorities have not commented on whether it was accidental or the result of an attack. Regional tensions remain high amid ongoing conflicts involving Iran and actors across the Middle East.
"Emergency teams are working to control the situation and provide aid to those affected," a local official was quoted as saying by state media.
International shipping monitors, including the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, were assessing potential impacts on navigation in the area but had not issued specific warnings tied to the latest event as of Tuesday afternoon.
Port operations status was not fully detailed, though disruptions to cargo handling were expected in the immediate aftermath. Iranian officials said they would provide further updates as information becomes available.
The explosion comes as the region navigates broader security challenges affecting key maritime routes. Further details on casualties, the cause, and operational impact were expected in coming hours.
