An explosion occurred at Iran's largest port, resulting in at least 40 deaths and 1,000 injuries, according to foreign news reports.
On the 27th (local time), TASS and Mehr News Agency reported that authorities in Hormozgan Province declared a state of emergency the day before near Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas, stating that 2,000 containers piled at the port had caught fire.
Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni stated that as of the morning of the same day, approximately 80% of the fire had been contained. However, it was reported that challenges in extinguishing the fire were being experienced due to strong winds.
According to reports, a large explosion occurred around 11:55 a.m. the day before at Shahid Rajaee Port. Located in the Strait of Hormuz, Shahid Rajaee Port is Iran's largest port, accounting for about 20% of global oil transportation and handling approximately 80 million tons of cargo annually.
The smoke from the fire spread throughout the city of Bandar Abbas, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency in nearby areas. Authorities advised residents to refrain from outdoor activities, and schools and offices were closed. However, they stated, "The claim that toxic gases are being released is not true."
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi attended a special meeting of the Hormozgan Province Crisis Management Headquarters on the same day, stating, "Extinguishing the fire, preventing further damage, and investigating the cause of the accident to establish measures to prevent recurrence are priorities." He emphasized that it is unacceptable for 120,000 to 140,000 containers to be stored at this port for an extended period, calling for improvements in logistics and customs procedures.
Meanwhile, the explosion occurred on the same day that Iran began its third nuclear negotiations with the United States in Oman. However, no evidence has emerged linking the two incidents. Iranian authorities have also denied any connection between the third nuclear negotiations with the United States and this accident.