Death Toll from Bandar Abbas Port Explosion Rises Amid Suspicions of Sabotage and Toxic Release

Iranian state television IRIB reported that the death toll from a powerful explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan province has reached 4, with at least 516 people injured. The blast ignited a significant fire, causing extensive damage to the port’s administrative building, berths, and several vessels. While preliminary investigations by Iranian sources, including the Tasnim news agency, suggest a fuel tank fire as the initial cause, authorities have not dismissed the possibility of sabotage. Eyewitness accounts of distinctive orange smoke have raised concerns about the potential release of toxic substances, further alarming local residents.

Shahid Rajaee Port is Iran’s largest port, responsible for handling up to 40% of the nation’s oil exports and serving as a critical hub for military logistics operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The port is home to various naval assets, including the drone carrier Shahid Bagheri. The force of the explosion was so intense that reports from Fars indicate it was felt on Qeshm Island, located 20 kilometers away, where windows in buildings were shattered within a wide radius. Published Satellite imagery reveals substantial damage to the port infrastructure. In response, port operations have been halted, and both rescue teams and IRGC forces have sealed off the area.

The theory of sabotage is gaining traction, Bandar Abbas has previously been the target of attacks attributed to Israel, including a cyberattack in 2020 and airstrikes on military installations in 2024 that have heightened tensions between the two nations. Sources suggest that the explosion may be part of a broader campaign to destabilize Iranian infrastructure, particularly in the context of threats from former President Trump regarding military action if Iran does not comply with the nuclear agreement. The presence of red smoke—indicative of nitrogen oxides—has been compared to the 2020 Beirut explosion, raising fears of toxic pollution linked to chemicals such as ammonium nitrate.

Iranian officials are likely to face mounting pressure to investigate the incident thoroughly while addressing public health concerns stemming from the potential toxic release.