massive explosion ripped through the Port of Shahid Rajaee in Bandar Abbas on 26 April, leaving at least 28 dead and over 800 injured, according to state media reports. The blast, which originated in a container yard storing hazardous materials, triggered a raging fire that engulfed large sections of the port, Iran’s busiest maritime hub handling roughly 80 million tons of cargo each year Wikipedia. Emergency crews battled the blaze through the night, using helicopters and ground units to douse flames amid fears that the conflagration could spread to nearby fuel storage facilities.
In a gesture of support, Moscow announced that it will send a contingent of specialized firefighting aircraft to assist Iranian responders. State news agency TASS reported that Russia plans to dispatch several Beriev Be-200 amphibious planes—capable of scooping water from the Persian Gulf—and converted Il-76 heavy transporters equipped for aerial water bombing. The first aircraft are expected to arrive within days, bolstering firefighting operations as port officials race to prevent further damage and resume critical trade flows .
The explosion occurred amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing negotiations over Iran’s missile program. Witnesses described a towering plume of black smoke visible for miles and a shockwave that shattered windows and buckled nearby structures. Hospitals in Bandar Abbas and neighboring cities scrambled to treat hundreds of victims, many suffering severe burns and trauma. Schools and public offices were temporarily closed as authorities declared a state of emergency in the southern province.
Preliminary investigations suggest that improperly stored chemicals—possibly including sodium perchlorate used in missile propellants—ignited and triggered the catastrophic blast. Iranian officials have launched a full inquiry to determine whether negligence or regulatory lapses contributed to the disaster. Meanwhile, operations at Shahid Rajaee Port remain suspended, threatening to disrupt Iran’s export of petrochemicals and other vital commodities. Restoration of port activity is seen as a pressing priority to mitigate economic fallout from the shutdown.
The decision by Russia to provide aerial firefighting support underscores the strategic partnership between Tehran and Moscow, which has deepened amid shared geopolitical interests. Russian experts will coordinate with Iranian civil defense teams to map hotspots and deliver precise water drops, while ground crews intensify containment efforts. As flames continue to smolder, authorities hope that the combined resources will hasten the battle to extinguish one of the worst industrial fire emergencies in Iran’s recent history.
