Over 400 injured as explosion rocks Iran’s port in Abbas

A powerful explosion rocked Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas, southern Iran, on Saturday April 26, 2025, injuring several people.

Iranian state media said the blast struck as Iran entered its third round of nuclear talks with the United States in Oman.

The explosion, whose cause remains unclear, caused fears over the timing and possible motives.

Shahid Rajaee Port lies about 1,050 kilometres southeast of Tehran, on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route.

State TV reported chaotic scenes as emergency workers battled a major fire at the port.

Footage broadcast by semi-official Tasnim news agency showed injured men lying on the streets.

A massive mushroom cloud rose over the port, shattering windows several kilometres away.

Residents on Qeshm Island, 26 kilometres south, said they heard the loud blast.

Port customs officials said the explosion affected an area known for storing hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods.

State TV blamed “negligence in handling flammable materials” but said investigations were still ongoing.

However, speculations about possible sabotage have begun, especially given the sensitive timing of the incident.

Authorities confirmed that oil infrastructure in the area was unaffected.

The National Iranian Petroleum Refining and Distribution Company said no refineries, pipelines, or fuel depots were damaged.

Shahid Rajaee Port is a major gateway for Iran’s trade and commerce.

The port was previously targeted in a 2020 cyber attack widely attributed to Israel.

That attack, linked to Iran-Israel cyber tensions, disrupted port operations at the time.

As at press time,  Israel had not issued any official comment on the blast.

The explosion comes at a tense time for Iran’s nuclear talks with world powers.

Western officials have raised alarms over Iran’s rapidly advancing uranium enrichment.

Diplomatic analysts warned that any proven sabotage could derail the negotiations and escalate tensions in the region.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a key flashpoint, with 20 percent of the world’s traded oil passing through it.

Saturday’s blast deepens fears about the stability of the Gulf region amid rising geopolitical strains.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook