Iran’s President Visits Blast Victims as Investigation into Deadly Port Explosion Intensifies

By Staff, Agencies

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited survivors on Sunday after a massive explosion struck one of the country’s key ports, Shahid Rajaei, near Bandar Abbas in southern Hormozgan province.

The blast, which occurred Saturday, killed at least 40 people and injured about 1,000 others, with new footage revealing scenes of devastation and lingering fires.

The explosion took place at a facility reportedly linked to the earlier delivery of a chemical ingredient used in missile propellant production. Videos circulating online show a deep crater surrounded by scorched debris, overturned containers, and burnt-out vehicles. The area remains hazardous, forcing the closure of schools and businesses.

“We must determine the cause of this tragedy,” Pezeshkian said during a televised meeting with officials.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution His Eminence Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei expressed condolences and emphasized that authorities must investigate thoroughly, hinting that sabotage could not be ruled out. "Security and judicial authorities must investigate whether negligence or deliberate actions were involved, and follow up according to the law," he said in a statement, stressing that officials have a duty to prevent such disasters.

Authorities stated that the fire was largely under control and hoped it would be fully extinguished by Sunday evening. Throughout the night, helicopters and cargo planes dropped seawater onto the smoldering port. Satellite images analyzed by the Associated Press showed a thick black smoke plume still hanging over the site on Sunday.

Provincial Governor Mohammad Ashouri updated the death toll, while Pir Hossein Kolivand, head of Iran’s Red Crescent society, noted that only 190 out of the approximately 1,000 injured remained hospitalized. The governor announced three days of mourning.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the deployment of several emergency aircraft to Bandar Abbas to aid Iranian efforts in controlling the aftermath of the explosion.