A massive explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port in Iran's southern Hormozgan province injured at least 281 people on Saturday, local authorities confirmed, casting a shadow over ongoing nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington.
The blast occurred near a gas tank storage area, sending a towering plume of smoke over Bandar Abbas and damaging nearby infrastructure. Babak Yektaparast, spokesperson for Iran's Emergency Medical Services Organization, stated the injured were promptly transferred to medical centers.
A local crisis management official told state TV the explosion originated from 'several containers stored in the port wharf area,' though investigations remain ongoing. The incident unfolded as Iranian diplomats engaged in a third round of nuclear negotiations with U.S. counterparts in Oman.
Videos shared online showed shattered windows and debris-littered streets, underscoring the blast's intensity. No group has claimed responsibility, and authorities have not linked the incident to geopolitical tensions.
