Tehran (TDI): Pakistan’s Embassy in Tehran postponed the celebrations of National Day, scheduled for April 30th, in solidarity with the victims of the explosion that shook the country’s largest commercial port – Shahid Rajaee, near the city of Bandar Abbas, on April 26.
The explosion has claimed forty lives and left over twelve hundred people injured. Reports suggests that a fuel shipment caught fire which ultimately caused the huge blast.
Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, spoke to their Iranian counterparts and expressed condolences.
I am deeply shocked to learn about explosion at Shahid-Rajaee port at Bandar Abbas with reports of hundreds injured. Our thoughts & prayers are with injured whom we wish speedy recovery. 🇵🇰 firmly stands by 🇮🇷 at this tragic moment.
— Ambassador Mudassir (@AmbMudassir) April 26, 2025
In conversation with the Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian, PM Shehbaz expressed shock over the port explosion and prayed for recovery of the injured.
Meanwhile, DPM/FM also took to X and wrote, “Deeply shocked to learn about the explosion at Shaheed Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas, in the brotherly country of Iran.”
“Our heartfelt prayers for the departed souls, the swift recovery of the injured, and strength to the bereaved families. Pakistan stands firmly with Iran in this hour of immense grief and is ready to extend any assistance,” he added.
Two days after the explosion, firefighters are still struggling with some active fires at the port. A complete estimate of the damage cannot be assessed yet.
Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has also ordered a probe into the possible negligence that led to this unfortunate disaster.
Nuzhat Rana is the Managing Editor (website) at The Diplomatic Insight.
