A devastating explosion at Iran's Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas has claimed at least 28 lives and injured over 1,000 individuals, according to the Iranian Red Crescent. The blast, which occurred on Saturday, April 26, 2025, has been attributed to a fire in a chemical storage area, though investigations are ongoing.

The explosion sent a massive plume of smoke into the sky, with the shockwave felt up to 50 kilometers away. Emergency services responded swiftly, deploying helicopters to combat the ensuing fires, which continued to burn into Sunday.

Authorities have ruled out the presence of military-grade materials at the site, despite initial speculations linking the incident to missile fuel components. The port, a critical hub for Iran's maritime trade, has suspended operations as rescue and recovery efforts continue.​

President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident and dispatched Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni to oversee the response. The government has also urged residents in the vicinity to stay indoors due to potential air quality concerns arising from the release of toxic substances.

The international community has expressed condolences, with Russian President Vladimir Putin offering assistance to Iran in managing the aftermath of the disaster. ​