Media: Explosion at Iran’s Shahid Rajaee port triggers conflicting reports, emergency response

A powerful explosion shook the Shahid Rajaee port in the southern Iranian city of Bandar Abbas on April 26, sparking confusion over its cause and prompting an immediate emergency response.

Residents in Bandar Abbas and nearby towns reported feeling the ground tremble as a loud blast echoed through the area. Initial accounts cited by Iranian media indicated that the explosion originated from the port's yard, Caliber.Az reports citing Iranian media.

Mehrdad Hassanzadeh, the head of crisis management in Hormozgan province, stated that the incident was caused by “the explosion of several stored containers in the port yard,” and confirmed that “injured individuals are currently being evacuated from the site.”

However, conflicting reports soon emerged. Tasnim news agency initially claimed the explosion occurred at an administrative building inside the port, but later attributed it to the detonation of a fuel tank for reasons that remain unclear. The blast reportedly led to the suspension of all port operations and the deployment of rapid response teams.

In an attempt to quell speculation, the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC) issued a statement asserting that “the explosion had no connection with the refineries, fuel storage tanks, or oil pipelines related to this company in the area.” It also emphasized that operations at its Bandar Abbas facilities were continuing uninterrupted, while emergency crews from nearby oil companies had been placed on standby to support port authorities.

While there were no immediate official reports of casualties, Tasnim noted that the explosion caused significant structural damage at the site. Authorities have not yet issued a definitive explanation for the incident, and investigations are ongoing.

Shahid Rajaee port, a vital gateway for Iran’s maritime trade, is located along the strategic Strait of Hormuz and handles a large volume of the country’s shipping traffic. The disruption has raised concerns about potential implications for regional logistics and security.

By Vafa Guliyeva