Iran President visits site of port explosion, death toll rises to 40

A massive explosion at Iran's Shahid Rajaei port near Bandar Abbas has killed at least 40 people and injured over 1,000, prompting President Masoud Pezeshkian to visit the injured and call for an investigation into the cause. The blast created an apocalyptic scene, leaving a deep crater and extensive damage, while thick smoke forced the closure of schools and businesses in the area. Although some reports linked the explosion to the presence of ammonium or sodium perchlorate—chemicals used in missile propellants—Iran's military and defense ministry denied any connection to missile fuel shipments or military cargo, dismissing such claims as misinformation. Emergency workers, aided by helicopters and support from Russia, continued efforts to extinguish fires more than a day after the incident. Authorities declared three days of mourning, and most of those injured have since been released from hospitals. The exact cause of the explosion remains under investigation, with both government and international sources providing differing accounts regarding the involvement of missile-related chemicals.