A significant explosion and subsequent fire erupted at a port in southern Iran on Saturday, reportedly linked to a shipment containing a chemical used in missile propellant. This tragic event resulted in the deaths of 18 individuals and left approximately 750 others injured.

Firefighting efforts involved helicopters and aircraft dropping water on the flames throughout the night and into Sunday morning at Shahid Rajaei port. The incident coincided with ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States in Oman regarding Iran's advancing nuclear program.

While no Iranian officials directly attributed the explosion to an attack, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged the heightened alertness of security services due to previous sabotage attempts.

State media reported the casualty figures but provided limited information on the cause of the fire near Bandar Abbas, which led to additional explosions of nearby containers.

According to the private security firm Ambrey, the port had received a shipment of missile fuel chemicals in March. This shipment included ammonium perchlorate from China, intended to replenish Iran's missile supplies depleted during its conflict with Israel.

Ambrey indicated that the fire likely resulted from mishandling solid fuel meant for Iranian ballistic missiles. Ship-tracking data suggested one of the vessels carrying the chemical was in the area in March, although Iran has not confirmed receipt of the shipment.

The reasons behind Iran's failure to relocate the chemicals from the port remain unclear, especially following the devastating Beirut port explosion in 2020, which resulted in over 200 fatalities.

Footage shared on social media captured reddish smoke rising before the explosion, hinting at the involvement of a chemical compound similar to that in the Beirut incident. Eyewitnesses reported frantic warnings just before the blast.

The state-run IRNA news agency later reported that the Iranian Customs Administration attributed the explosion to a stockpile of hazardous materials stored at the port.

Aerial images released post-explosion showed multiple fires burning at the port, prompting authorities to issue warnings about air pollution from chemicals like ammonia and sulfur dioxide. Schools and offices in Bandar Abbas were closed on Sunday as a precaution.

Shahid Rajaei port has previously been targeted, including a 2020 cyberattack attributed to Israel. Social media videos depicted thick black smoke rising after the explosion, with reports of shattered glass in buildings miles away.

Provincial disaster management officials confirmed that the blast originated from containers at the port, with reports of a building collapse as well. The Interior Ministry has initiated an investigation into the incident, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed condolences to the victims' families.

Located about 1,050 kilometers southeast of Tehran, Shahid Rajaei port is a crucial hub on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for global oil trade.