Tehran: A huge explosion broke through Iran’s Shahid Rajaee port near Bandar Abbas on Saturday, killing at least 25 people and injuring more than 800.
The explosion caused smaller explosions in nearby containers and fires that continued on Sunday.
Here we know:
Strategic port
The port of Shahid Rajaee is one of Iran’s most critical sea nodes, located on the northern coast of Hormuz, a floating road through which it crosses one -fifth of world oil production.
Extending to 2,400 acres (970 hectares), with extensive storage and storage facilities, is regarded as the largest and most busy commercial port in Iran.
The area has set a special economic zone, which serves as a key center of Iran’s import, export and transport works.
Local media reported that the port operates about 50% of Iran’s total trade and about 85% -90% of all container traffic.
The port of Shahid Rajaee is part of the area of the Great Bandar Abbas, which covers about 100 square kilometers (39 square miles) and hosts about 650,000 people.
The site also hosts the main base of the Iranian Navy.
Along with the nearby port of Shahid Bahonar, Shahid Rajaee is a crucial component of Bandar Abbas’s commercial and strategic infrastructure.
Expansion projects in the port have been continued for years, including the construction of silo of cereals and new ports of fishing.
Last month, authorities signed an agreement on the construction of oil tanks in the port with a capacity of 80,000 cubic meters, according to MEHR news agency.
The explosion
The explosion took place shortly before noon on Saturday, possibly at the storage of dangerous and chemical materials, local media reported, citing the Port Customs Office.
It spread to other containers in the port, with smaller explosions that cause fires that dug until Sunday.
Authorities have asked locals to stay indoors or use facial masks, citing the release of toxic gas.
The state -owned Iranian Iranian oil distribution company said the explosion “has nothing to do with its premises”.
He added that “Bandar Abbas oil plants are operating today without interruption”, according to a statement transferred by local media.
The exact cause of Saturday’s explosion remains unclear.
Past incidents
The area has seen previous incidents, though on a much smaller scale.
In March 2024, a fire at the AFTAB oil refinery near Bandar Abbas killed an employee and injured two others during repair work.
In May 2020, the port of Shahid Rajaee faced an important cyberettack that stopped shipping and frozen logistics systems, according to a report from The Washington Post.
The report said the attack was carried out by “Israeli workers”, although Iranian officials never confirmed a link to Israel.
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