TEHRAN — At least 28 people have been killed in the past 24 hours following a major explosion and fire at Shahid Rajaee Port in southern Iran, local officials said Sunday.
The explosion occurred Saturday afternoon at Iran’s largest commercial port, located near the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. Officials initially attributed the blast to a fire in a warehouse containing hazardous and chemical materials.
As thick smoke blanketed the area, authorities ordered the closure of all schools and government offices in Bandar Abbas and urged residents to remain indoors and wear masks until further notice. Footage from the scene showed firefighting teams continuing to battle the blaze, and some roads leading to the port were closed.
Pir Hossein Kolivand, head of Iran’s Red Crescent Society, said several of the injured have been transferred to Tehran for specialized treatment.
Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian has ordered an immediate investigation into the cause of the explosion. Officials in Hormozgan Province declared three days of public mourning.
International messages of condolence poured in. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message of sympathy and ordered the dispatch of relief aircraft to Bandar Abbas. The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, India, and the United Nations also expressed condolences and offered support to Iran.
The incident comes as Iranian and American delegations are engaged in sensitive nuclear negotiations in Oman. Some analysts have warned that the explosion could further complicate the delicate talks, adding new strain to an already tense diplomatic environment.
The investigation into the explosion remains ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out further updates on casualties or damage in the coming days.
