DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran authorities announced Monday they had finally extinguished a massive fire at the Shahid Rajaei port near Bandar Abbas, following a devastating explosion that killed at least 65 people and injured more than 1,000 others.
Satellite imagery from Planet Labs PBC, analyzed by The Associated Press, revealed the extent of the damage. The photos show craters approximately 50 meters (165 feet) wide, disintegrated buildings, and severely damaged shipping containers — a grim testament to the power of the blast.
Questions Mount About Chemical Involvement
Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni confirmed the fire had been put out, while Hormozgan Gov. Mohammad Ashouri Taziani provided the updated death toll. Despite this, the cause of the explosion remains unexplained.
Reports suggest the port recently received a chemical shipment associated with missile fuel, specifically ammonium perchlorate, although Iranian officials deny any such materials were present. Private security firm Ambrey claimed the chemical was imported from China earlier this year, intended to replenish Iran’s missile stocks following military actions against Israel during the Hamas conflict.
Social media footage from the time of the explosion showed reddish-hued smoke — a potential indicator of a chemical blast, similar to the 2020 Beirut port disaster.
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Conflicting Reports and Suspicions
Late Sunday, Iran’s semiofficial ILNA news agency quoted Saeed Jafari, CEO of a marine services company at the port, who said the incident was caused by false documentation related to dangerous goods.
“The incident happened following a false statement about the dangerous goods and delivering it without documents and tags,” Jafari stated.
Meanwhile, the ISNA news agency reported that the cargo involved in the explosion had not been properly registered with customs authorities. Only high-level Iranian officials, such as members of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, would typically have the power to bypass these procedures.
Political Context
The explosion occurred as Iran entered a third round of negotiations with the United States regarding its nuclear program, raising speculation about the timing and potential implications of the blast on diplomatic efforts.
Despite putting out the fire, Iranian authorities continue to face scrutiny as they remain silent about the exact cause of one of the deadliest industrial incidents in the country’s recent history.
