Shahid Rajaee Port Explosion in Iran Fuels Speculation Firestorm

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Shahid Rajaee Port Explosion in Iran Loops Pakistan, China in Likely Causes

By TRH News Desk

New Delhi, April 28, 2025: Catastrophic explosion at the Shahid Rajaee Port, Iran’s largest commercial port, near Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan province, which killed at least 40 people and injured over 1,200 others, is fuelling a wild firestorm of speculations over likely causes.

Iranian state media said that the blast, which occurred around 12:10 IRST, originated in the Sina container yard. It added that the blast was believed to have been triggered by improperly stored chemicals, possibly including materials used in missile fuel production.

The explosion sent shockwaves felt up to 50 kilometers away, shattering windows, collapsing buildings, and causing widespread damage to port infrastructure.

Videos verified by the BBC showed a fire escalating before a massive detonation, with thick black and reddish smoke billowing into the sky. “The entire warehouse was filled with smoke, dust, and ashes. I don’t remember if I went under the table or was thrown there by the blast,” a witness told Iranian state TV.

Iranian authorities reported that the blaze spread to multiple containers, complicating firefighting efforts. Helicopters and naval teams were deployed to contain the fire, which was brought under control by Sunday.

The port, a critical hub handling 80 million tons of goods annually and 85–90% of Iran’s container traffic, has suspended operations, severely disrupting trade.

Iranian officials have pointed to poor storage of hazardous materials as the likely cause. Hossein Zafari, a spokesperson for Iran’s crisis management organization, told ILNA news agency, “The cause of the explosion was the chemicals inside the containers. Previously, the Director General of Crisis Management had given warnings to this port during their visits and had pointed out the possibility of danger.”

Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani echoed this, stating on X, “What has been revealed so far is that containers stored in a corner of the port, possibly containing chemicals, exploded.”

The Washington Post quoted maritime risk firm Ambrey, linking the blast to a shipment of sodium perchlorate, a chemical used in missile fuel, reportedly received from China in March.

However, Iran’s Defence Ministry denied military-related materials were involved, with spokesperson Gen. Reza Talayi Nick stating, “There was no for-import or for-export fuel batch with military use in the area of the fire accident.”

CNN in a report quoted Andrea Sella, a chemistry professor at University College London, suggesting an alternative theory. “This bears the hallmarks of an ammonium nitrate explosion… Poor storage can significantly raise the risk of an explosion in the event of a fire,” she was quoted in the report.

This comparison to the 2020 Beirut port explosion, which killed over 200 due to ammonium nitrate, has fueled speculation about negligence, added CNN.

Beni Sabti, an expert at the Institute for National Security Studies, emphasized the port’s strategic importance, telling Maariv, “The port that blew up in the southern Iranian city was the most important port for the Iranian regime… used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to transfer weapons to terrorist organizations like Hezbollah and the Houthis.”

He added, “If infrastructure important to the IRGC’s oil transfer operations or the reception of vital goods was damaged, this could have a significant impact.”

Among open intelligence networks, Pakistan also figures, with claims that Islamabad-backed terrorists may have caused the blast. Iran in the past has accused Pakistan of sponsoring terrorist attacks.

The explosion coincided with US-Iran nuclear talks in Oman, prompting speculation about sabotage, though no evidence supports this. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had warned of “past instances of attempted sabotage” before the talks.

An Israeli official denied involvement, and no Iranian official has formally accused external actors. On X, user @gbrew24 noted, “Shaheed Rajaei likely shut down for some time to assess the damage. One of Iran’s busiest commercial ports.”

The Iranian Red Crescent reported that 190 of the injured remained hospitalized by Sunday. Emergency teams, supported by Russian firefighting aircraft, worked tirelessly to aid victims and extinguish the blaze.

The explosion has reignited debates about safety protocols at Iran’s industrial sites, especially after the 2020 Beirut disaster. Experts are calling for stricter regulations on hazardous materials storage. The port’s closure threatens Iran’s economy, particularly its oil exports, which rely on Shahid Rajaee’s proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for 20% of global oil trade.

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