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Tehran: The death toll from a massive explosion at Iran’s Shahid Rajaei port near Bandar Abbas has climbed to 46, Iranian state television confirmed Monday (April 28, 2025).
The blast, which occurred two days earlier, left over 1,000 injured and ignited a massive fire that continued to burn as of Monday. The disaster unfolded just as Iran entered a third round of nuclear negotiations with the United States, adding urgency and tension to ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Authorities have yet to provide a clear explanation for the explosion. However, private security firm Ambrey reported that the port had recently received a shipment of missile fuel chemicals—specifically, ammonium perchlorate—from China in March. This chemical, often used in rocket propellants, was reportedly intended to replenish Iran’s missile stockpiles depleted during recent hostilities with Israel over the Gaza conflict.
The Iranian military has denied receiving the shipment.
Footage circulating on social media showed reddish smoke rising from the site moments before the massive detonation—a visual signature often associated with chemical-based explosions, similar to the 2020 Beirut port blast caused by ammonium nitrate.
The exact cause remains under investigation, but the timing and material present raise serious concerns about the handling of hazardous substances at critical infrastructure points during volatile political moments.
