Major Explosion Rocks Iran’s Strategic Port, Raising Global Concerns Over Hormuz Energy Corridor Safety

On April 26, a massive explosion occurred at Iran’s Shahid Rajaee Port, a critical hub located near the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf. Witnesses described seeing a "mushroom-shaped cloud" rising from the site, with the blast injuring 561 people. As Iran’s largest container port, handling 85% of the country’s container traffic and 55% of its non-oil trade, the sudden shutdown has effectively paused operations along a key energy and trade route in the Middle East.  

1. Explosion Disrupts Global Supply Chains  

Videos of the blast showed shattered windows in buildings up to 15 kilometers away, with at least 30 trucks severely damaged by the shockwave. According to Hormozgan Province’s emergency command center, the explosion started at a warehouse storing dangerous chemicals like ammonium nitrate. The fire, fueled by strong winds, spread to nearby storage areas. Despite deploying three firefighting helicopters, rescue efforts were hindered by toxic smoke from burning chemicals.  

The port, which normally handles 1.8 million tons of cargo daily, plays a vital role in the Persian Gulf-Hormuz Strait corridor, a passage for 20% of the world’s oil shipments. It also serves as Iran’s main hub for exporting petrochemical products to Asia. Singapore shipping analyst Chen Weilun warned, "The accident coincides with peak post-Ramadan freight demand, which could cause container shipping costs in the Persian Gulf to surge by 15% within a week."  

2. Rising Political Tensions  

While Iranian authorities have not confirmed the cause, several details have sparked speculation. Israel’s *Jerusalem Post* reported that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards had received a shipment of new anti-ship missiles at the port 72 hours before the blast. On the same day, the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet announced plans for an "unexploded ordnance disposal drill" in the Gulf of Oman.  

Farshin Maleki, director of Tehran University’s Security Studies Institute, told Al Jazeera, "The port’s western area includes a dedicated fuel transport dock for the Bushehr nuclear power plant. This incident could be a multi-layered attack on Iran’s critical infrastructure." Notably, in 2021, a cyberattack paralyzed the port’s systems, and this explosion damaged its electronic customs control center.  

3. Economic Impacts Spread Globally  

Trade data shows the port processes $3.2 billion worth of goods monthly, including machinery from China (60%) and food supplies from the Middle East. Following the news, Dubai Mercantile Exchange reported a 2.3% spike in global oil prices and a 40% jump in liquefied natural gas futures trading. Of greater concern, Iran has been using this port to ship refinery equipment to Venezuela, bypassing U.S. sanctions.  

A researcher from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences noted, "As a key node in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the port’s closure directly affects progress under the 25-year Iran-China cooperation agreement. China imports 70% of its chromium ore through this port, which could disrupt stainless steel production." China’s COSCO Shipping has reportedly diverted some cargo to Oman’s Sohar Port.  

4. Recovery Efforts and Ongoing Investigations  

As of now, a joint investigation team—including Iranian Revolutionary Guards engineers and UN chemical weapons experts—has arrived at the site. Satellite thermal imaging shows temperatures at the blast’s core still reaching 400°C, with initial damage estimates exceeding $800 million. Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization has activated a "backup port network," but industry sources say alternatives like Qeshm Island’s port can handle less than one-third of Shahid Rajaee’s capacity.  

This explosion has not only tested Iran’s crisis management but also highlighted the fragility of the Hormuz Strait, a lifeline for global energy supplies. As investigations continue, factors like technical failures, safety lapses, or geopolitical conflicts could reshape tensions in the Middle East.