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