The death toll from a powerful explosion at Iran’s largest port, Bandar Abbas, has climbed to at least 28, with more than 700 people injured, according to state media reports on Sunday. Firefighters continued battling to fully extinguish the fire sparked by the blast.

The explosion occurred on Saturday in the Shahid Rajaee terminal, Iran’s main container port. As Reuter reports, the force of the blast shattered windows several kilometers away, ripped metal panels off shipping containers and caused extensive damage to goods stored at the facility, state media said.

CCTV footage shows fire from the explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas, Iran, April 26, 2025, as seen in this screengrab from a social media video. SOCIAL MEDIA/via REUTERS

Iranian Red Crescent rescuers work following an explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas, Iran, April 26, 2025. Iranian Red Crescent/WANA (West Asia News Agency) Handout via REUTERS

The incident coincided with Iran’s third round of nuclear talks with the United States in Oman.

Authorities suspect that chemicals stored at the port may have fueled the explosion, although the exact cause remains under investigation. Iran’s Defence Ministry denied international media claims suggesting the mishandling of solid missile fuel was involved, calling such reports “aligned with enemy psyops.” Officials insisted no military cargo was present at the blast site.

Smoke rises, following a suspected explosion of chemical materials that killed at least 14 people and injured more than 700, at a location given as Bandar Abbas, Iran, in this still image taken from a video released on April 27, 2025. IRANIAN RED CRESCENT SOCIETY/Handout via REUTERS

The Associated Press, citing British security firm Ambrey, reported that the port had received a shipment of sodium perchlorate in March — a chemical used in missile propulsion — and suggested its mishandling could be linked to the blast.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered several planes to be dispatched to Iran to assist with the aftermath. Russia’s emergency ministry confirmed the aid mission on Sunday.
The Kremlin said Putin offered his condolences to the victims’ families and wished a swift recovery to the injured, expressing “sincere sympathy and support.”

Smoke from the explosion is seen at the Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas, Iran, April 26, 2025. Mohammad Rasoul Moradi/IRNA/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY