Russia Dispatches Emergency Teams to Iran After Deadly Shahid Rajaee Port Explosion

Report By Safarti Tarjuman International Desk

Russia has sent urgent assistance to Iran following a catastrophic explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port, one of Iran’s most critical maritime hubs near the Strait of Hormuz.  According to official reports the blast has killed at least 40 people and left over 1,000 injured.

President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to the Iranian government and families of the victims. In a swift response, Russia deployed emergency aircraft carrying specialized firefighting teams and equipment to support rescue operations at the disaster site.

Fires continued to burn across the port area on Sunday, spreading heavy smoke across nearby Bandar Abbas. In response, authorities ordered the closure of schools, government offices, and businesses. Iran’s health ministry also issued warnings, urging residents to stay indoors and use protective masks due to severe air pollution.

President Masoud Pezeshkian traveled to Bandar Abbas to oversee the emergency response and monitor the investigation into the explosion.

Early evidence points to an accidental cause rather than an act of sabotage or terrorism. CCTV footage released by Iranian media shows a small fire starting in a container shortly after midday, quickly escalating before a massive explosion rocked the port.

The Ministry of Interior has launched an official investigation. Experts are focusing on the improper storage of chemical materials and soaring temperatures as possible factors behind the disaster. Authorities are also reviewing claims of neglected safety inspections and outsourced regulatory controls at the port.

To curb misinformation, Tehran’s prosecutor’s office announced legal action against several media outlets accused of spreading unverified theories about the incident.

The explosion coincides with sensitive diplomatic efforts between Iran and the United States. Ongoing negotiations, mediated by Oman and held in Muscat, aim to reach a new agreement on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the easing of U.S. sanctions.

Despite the tragedy, Iranian officials confirmed that the next round of talks will move forward as scheduled, calling the current discussions “serious and more detailed” than previous rounds.