A large fire continues to burn at the Shahid Rajaee port complex in Bandar Abbas, southern Iran, following a major explosion on Saturday.
Emergency services have reportedly been unable to bring the blaze fully under control, and authorities appear to be allowing the fire to burn out naturally. All settlements within a 20-kilometre radius have been evacuated due to concerns over toxic air contamination.
Initial reports indicate that the explosion involved ammonium perchlorate, a chemical compound commonly used as an oxidiser in solid rocket fuel. Eyewitnesses and footage from the scene show a characteristic orange plume, often associated with nitrogen-based oxidisers. Satellite imagery and amateur videos show significant damage, with shipping containers thrown across the site and infrastructure severely compromised.
The Israeli government has publicly denied any involvement in the incident, following speculation online and in regional media outlets. At present, there is no independent evidence linking Israel to the explosion.
The cargo, it is believed, arrived approximately a month ago from China aboard vessels reportedly under United States sanctions. Sources close to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) told The New York Times that poor storage practices were likely to blame. The ammonium perchlorate shipment, intended for the replenishment of Iran’s missile stockpiles, had reportedly been stored improperly. Iran has supplied significant quantities of missiles to proxy groups such as Hezbollah and the Houthi movement in Yemen, necessitating restocking.
According to Iranian authorities, at least 14 people have been killed, and more than 750 have been injured. The explosion, which occurred after a prolonged fire, produced a powerful shockwave, damaging nearby structures and scattering heavy equipment.
The Shahid Rajaee port, part of the Bandar Abbas port complex, handles around 40% of Iran’s total imports and exports. The port is Iran’s only deep-water terminal with direct access to the global ocean trade network, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts note that 80% of the goods passing through the port are containerised cargo. Damage to the port’s infrastructure, particularly its container cranes and logistics facilities, could severely impact Iran’s ability to import foodstuffs, industrial goods, and essential equipment.
While the city of Bandar Abbas itself has not been significantly affected by the explosion, the economic ramifications of a prolonged disruption at Shahid Rajaee port are expected to be considerable. Observers suggest that Tehran could face significant supply chain difficulties if the port remains inoperative for an extended period.
The Iranian military maintains a naval base in the vicinity of the port, hosting vessels from both the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy and the IRGC Navy, including submarines. However, initial assessments suggest that military facilities were not directly impacted by the explosion.
Ammonium perchlorate is known to be highly unstable when exposed to heat or mishandled. A historical incident in 1988 in Nevada, United States, involving the compound led to an explosion strong enough to be registered as an earthquake nearly four on the Richter scale in neighbouring California.
The current situation in Bandar Abbas is being compared by some commentators to the 2020 Beirut port explosion, although the precise scale of the Iranian incident remains to be fully assessed. Satellite services such as Maxar Technologies are expected to release detailed imagery in the coming days, which may provide further insight into the extent of the damage.
China’s role in the shipment has also drawn attention. Although ammonium perchlorate has limited peaceful applications and is primarily used in military industries, questions have been raised regarding sanctions enforcement and the ability of Iranian entities to procure sensitive materials from Chinese suppliers.
The broader strategic implications of the incident remain uncertain. Any long-term incapacitation of Shahid Rajaee port could place further strain on the Iranian economy, already under pressure from international sanctions and domestic challenges.
Read also:
Trump’s Envoy Courts Putin as Ukraine, Iran, and Middle East Crises Intersect
