Deadly Blast at Iranian Port Tied to Missile Fuel Shipment: 5 Dead, More Than 700 Injured

A colossal explosion Saturday at a port in southern Iran, associated with a missile propellant shipment, claimed at least five lives and injured more than 700 people.

What Happened: According to an Associated Press report, the blast took place at the Shahid Rajaei port near the city of Bandar Abbas. In March, the port had received a shipment of sodium perchlorate rocket fuel, a chemical commonly used in missile propellants. The explosion coincided with the third round of talks between Iran and the United States concerning Tehran’s progressing nuclear program.

Iranian authorities, while initially vague about the cause of the explosion, dismissed any links to the country’s oil industry. Ambrey, a private security firm, posited that the explosion was likely a result of mishandling the rocket fuel shipment, intended for Iranian ballistic missiles.

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Despite the blast’s close proximity to the missile fuel shipment, Iran has not admitted to receiving the shipment. The Iranian mission to the United Nations has remained silent on requests for comment.

The Shahid Rajaei port, which was the target of a 2020 cyberattack attributed to Israel, is currently under investigation by the Iranian Interior Ministry to determine the cause of the blast.

Why It Matters: This explosion, linked to a missile propellant shipment, raises serious concerns about the safety protocols in place at the Shahid Rajaei port.

The incident also comes at a critical time, amidst ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program. The lack of acknowledgment from Iran regarding the receipt of the missile fuel shipment further complicates the situation, potentially straining the already tense relations between the two nations.

The investigation by the Iranian Interior Ministry will be crucial in shedding light on the cause of the explosion and its potential implications.

Image: Shutterstock/Hamara