A large explosion and fire broke out in Bandar Abbas, a strategically important port in southern Iran. According to initial reports, four people were killed and more than 4 people were injured. It has been claimed that the explosion was linked to the shipment of a chemical used in the production of missile fuel.
The explosion comes at a sensitive time when Iran and the United States are meeting in Oman for a third round of talks over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program. According to AP News, there has been no official statement from Iran that the blast was the result of an attack. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently said that “our security services are on high alert given past examples of sabotage and assassination attempts designed to provoke a legitimate response.”
Conflicting Statements from Iranian Officials
Iranian officials have not provided a clear explanation for the explosion, which occurred just outside the port of Bandar Abbas, for hours, but have strongly rejected suggestions that the blast has no connection to the country's vital oil industry.
Critical Claim from Private Security Company: Rocket Fuel Shipment
A striking statement about the incident came from the private security company Ambrey. The company claimed that the port received a shipment of a chemical substance described as “sodium perchlorate rocket fuel” in March. It was reported that this shipment was part of a shipment sent from China to Iran by two ships, which was also reported by the Financial Times in January. The Financial Times reported that this fuel was to be used to replenish Iranian missile stockpiles, which have been depleted due to direct attacks on Israel.
Ship Tracking Data Supports Claims
Ship tracking data analyzed by The Associated Press also aligns with Ambrey’s claims. One of the ships thought to be carrying the chemical was spotted near the port of Bandar Abbas in March, the AP reported. Iran has not yet confirmed it has received such a shipment.
Beirut Port Disaster Comes to Mind
It remains a big question why Iran did not immediately evacuate such dangerous chemicals from the port, especially after the Beirut port explosion in 2020. More than 200 people were killed and more than 6.000 were injured in the horrific explosion that occurred when hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate detonated in Beirut. It is clear that the explosion in Bandar Abbas has raised concerns about potential risks and negligence.
Red Smoke Before Explosion Draws Attention
The first images of the explosion in Bandar Abbas shared on social media clearly show reddish smoke rising from the scene just before the explosion, which is considered a strong indication that a chemical compound played a role in the explosion.
The Region Had Previously Been a Target of Israel
Another notable detail is that the region has been a target of Israel in the past. According to Reuters, Israel targeted the Bandar Abbas port with a cyberattack in 2020. Prior to this attack, Israel announced that Iranian hackers had attempted a cyberattack on Israel’s water infrastructure, which was thwarted. These past incidents increase speculation about the possible causes and those responsible for the recent explosion in Bandar Abbas.
Importance of the Port for Oil Trade
Located on the strategic Strait of Hormuz, about 1.050 kilometers southeast of Iran’s capital Tehran, the Bandar Abbas port in Hormuzgan province is of vital importance to the global oil trade. Located at the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, it is a critical point through which about 20 percent of the world’s oil trade passes.
In this context, it is important that Iranian authorities announced that the explosion did not affect oil facilities in any way. The National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company announced in an official statement to the public that the explosion “had no connection with refineries, fuel tanks, distribution complexes or oil pipelines.” However, the uncertainty about the cause of the explosion and the allegations of missile fuel maintain the seriousness of the incident.
