Overview

• Iranian authorities report 28 fatalities and over 1,000 injuries following the explosion at Shahid Rajaee port near Bandar Abbas on April 26.
• The blast is suspected to have originated from a fire in a hazardous materials depot, with sodium perchlorate, a missile fuel ingredient, possibly involved.
• Private security firm Ambrey Intelligence attributes the explosion to improper handling of missile fuel shipments received in March, though Iran denies military links.
• President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered an investigation into the incident, while rescue and firefighting efforts continue at the site.
• The explosion coincided with U.S.–Iran nuclear talks in Oman, raising questions about security vulnerabilities at critical infrastructure.