A powerful explosion rocked the Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas, southern Iran, on Saturday, leaving at least 281 people injured, according to initial reports from local media. Authorities have suspended all port activities as emergency crews work to control the resulting blaze.

Those wounded in huge blast at Bandar Abbas port in Iran reportedly jumps to over 200, there is still no word on the death toll https://t.co/k4UrSOiHxB pic.twitter.com/gTSezcX9Yn
— RT (@RT_com) April 26, 2025
The cause of the blast remains unclear, but its impact was devastating, shattering windows several kilometers away and sending a large mushroom cloud billowing into the sky, as seen in dramatic footage circulating online.
The incident comes at a sensitive moment for Iran, coinciding with the third round of nuclear negotiations with the United States in Oman, further intensifying tensions in the region.
Bandar Abbas, one of Iran’s most critical ports, processes around 80 million tons of goods annually. The damage and disruption caused by the explosion could have significant economic repercussions, not just for Iran’s trade but also for the broader Gulf shipping routes.
Further details are awaited.