Iran Port Blast Kills 40, Sparks Toxic Fears

A massive explosion at Iran's Shahid Rajaee port near the Strait of Hormuz killed at least 40 people and injured over 1,000, making it one of the deadliest industrial disasters in Iran. The blast originated from a fire among shipping containers containing hazardous chemicals, including sodium perchlorate and ammonium perchlorate, which are used in missile fuel and reportedly arrived from China earlier in the year. Iranian officials deny the presence of military materials, but international media and private security sources suggest mishandling of missile-related chemicals may have contributed, and sabotage has not been ruled out. The incident has crippled a port that manages about 80% of Iran’s imports, compounding existing economic challenges amid ongoing nuclear talks with the US. Eyewitness videos and satellite images show extensive damage, while rescue operations continue and international aid, including from Russia, has arrived. The explosion raises concerns about Iran's storage practices, military activity at civilian sites, and the region’s geopolitical stability.