Iranian Port Explosion Sparks Questions of Solid Rocket Fuel For Arms

An explosion killed at least 40 people and injured more than 1,000 others over the weekend in Iran’s largest commercial port, in an incident authorities linked to improperly stored chemicals but which raised concerns about the possible presence of solid rocket fuel used in ballistic missiles, the BBC reported. 

The explosion occurred Saturday morning at the southern port of Shahid Rajaee, near the city of Bandar Abbas. The blast blew out windows and roofs, as well as destroying cars. Residents in the area said they could feel the impact of the explosion up to 31 miles away. 

Video footage showed a fire breaking out among shipping containers before a large explosion engulfed the area, producing orange-brown smoke. 

Observers told CNN that such a color would indicate a chemical such as sodium or ammonia being involved.  

Fires were still burning Sunday, but were reportedly 80 percent contained. 

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed “deep regret and sympathy” for the victims and traveled to Bandar Abbas on Sunday afternoon to lead an investigation and oversee relief efforts. 

Officials have not officially confirmed the exact cause of the explosion, but said it involved hazardous and chemical materials stored improperly at the port’s container areas. 

However, maritime consultancy Ambrey Intelligence reported that the affected containers may have held solid rocket fuel, including sodium perchlorate, a chemical component of ballistic missile propellant.  

Ambrey cited a March 2025 shipment of sodium perchlorate unloaded at Shahid Rajaee port by an Iran-flagged vessel, while CNN previously reported that the Golbon, a Chinese vessel, had delivered 1,000 tons of the chemical in February. 

Iranian authorities have denied that any military material was stored at the port. They did not suggest the explosion occurred because of an attack. 

The port explosion came as Iran and the United States met Saturday in the latest round of negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program. The high-level talks are the first since the Trump administration withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement in the US president’s first term. 

The current Oman-mediated negotiations are aimed at reaching an agreement that would prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons while offering some sanctions relief. 

Negotiators on both sides have reported progress but indicated that substantial differences remain, with further talks expected to continue next week.