**Explosion at Iranian Port Claims 25 Lives; Over 1,100 Injured**

**The explosion, described as devastating, prompts urgent calls for improved safety measures across Iran's industrial sites.**

A horrific explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port, the largest shipping hub in Iran, has resulted in a tragic death toll of 25, with over 1,100 individuals injured as reported by state media on Sunday. The catastrophic event occurred on Saturday evening, igniting a large fire that spread throughout the port and adjacent areas, prompting the Iranian health ministry to declare a state of emergency due to concerns over toxic air pollutants.

The Shahid Rajaee port, located in Bandar Abbas along the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz, is vital for Iran’s shipping and oil trade, managing approximately 85% of the nation’s shipping container traffic last year. By early Sunday, firefighters had successfully contained most of the flames but continued to combat the remaining flare-ups, according to reports from the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

Initial investigations suggest that the explosion was triggered by chemical containers; however, officials have yet to propose any theories regarding sabotage or intentional attacks. Previous years have seen tensions from regional adversaries, including an Israeli cyberattack affecting the port operations five years ago, but officials from Israel did not provide comments on the recent explosion.

In response, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has dispatched the interior minister to oversee the investigation into the explosion's origin and to expedite the port's reconstruction efforts. Meanwhile, Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref has emphasized the necessity for increased safety protocols at all industrial facilities to prevent such disasters in the future.