Saudi Arabia offers condolences to Iran following deadly Bandar Abbas port explosion
RIYADH/TEHRAN — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Saudi Arabia’s sincere condolences and sympathy to Iran following an explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas, which killed eight people and injured at least 750 others.
The Kingdom extended its condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery. It also expressed readiness to provide any assistance requested by Iranian authorities in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Iranian Interior Minister Eskander Momeni, speaking to state television from Bandar Abbas, confirmed that the death toll had risen from five to eight. He said about 750 people were injured, with 212 treated on an outpatient basis and the rest transferred to medical centers in Hormozgan and nearby provinces.
Momeni added that firefighters were working to extinguish the fire, which remained the top priority after the completion of rescue operations.
He said resources from other cities, including Tehran, had been dispatched to aid in containment efforts, and authorities expected the blaze to be controlled within hours.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed sorrow over the incident in a statement on X and ordered a full investigation.
He appointed Momeni as his special representative to oversee the probe and ensure support for the injured.
Earlier, Iran’s Customs Administration suspended all export and transit shipments to Shahid Rajaee Customs at Bandar Abbas until further notice.
Local media reported that the fire broke out around 12 p.m. local time in the container dock area, likely fueled by the presence of flammable materials and soaring temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius. Witnesses said a minor fire quickly spread and triggered the explosion.
The National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company stated that the explosion and fire were unrelated to refineries, storage tanks, or oil distribution facilities.
Shahid Rajaee Port, a key strategic hub located about 15 kilometers southwest of Bandar Abbas, sits on the northern shore of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime passages. — SG with inputs from Agencies
Latest Saudi Gazette
- Saudi Arabia welcomes Palestinian leadership reforms, appointment of Hussein Al-SheikhSaudi Gazette reportRIYADH/RAMALLAH — Saudi Arabia on Saturday welcomed the reform measures announced by the Palestinian leadership. The reforms included the creation of the posts of Vice President of
- 1,314 cases of contraband seizure at Saudi customs ports in a weekSaudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority revealed the seizure of 1,314 cases of contraband smuggling at land, sea, and air customs ports across Saudi Arabia within one week.The
- Over 13 million worshipers pray at Rawdah Sharif in a yearSaudi Gazette report RIYADH — More than 13 million worshipers performed prayer at the Rawdah Sharif at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah in one year. The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs
- SFDA clears first 44-ton medical shipment for Hajj pilgrimsJEDDAH — The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has cleared the first medical shipment for the 1446 Hajj season, weighing 44 tons and consisting of essential medicines and medical products.The shipment,
- Saudi Arabia deports 12,866 illegal residents in a weekSaudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi security forces have arrested a total of 19,328 illegal residents during the last week. The arrests were made during the joint inspections, carried out by the security
- Ministry of Hajj issued over 150,000 Nusuk cards for the Hajj of 2025Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has started the distribution of Nusuk cards for the Hajj season of 2025, with over 150,000 cards already issued and a daily production capacity
