Russia Sends Emergency Aircraft to Iran After Port Explosion

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the deployment of several emergency aircraft to Iran to assist in extinguishing a massive fire at the Bandar Abbas port, according to Russian news agency TASS.

Efforts to bring the fire under control are ongoing. Iranian emergency officials reported that about 80 percent of the fire had been contained and expressed optimism that, with continued aerial support and the work of firefighting teams, the fire would soon be fully extinguished.

The Russian Embassy in Tehran confirmed that Moscow had dispatched relief teams to assist in battling the fire.

Several aircraft carrying specialists from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations have been sent urgently to Iran to help with firefighting operations at Shahid Rajaee Port, one of the country's largest maritime hubs.

On Sunday, the Kremlin announced that President Putin had offered further assistance to Iran to manage the aftermath of the devastating explosion that triggered the fire.

Putin also extended his condolences to the families of the victims and wished a swift recovery to all those injured.

Iranian state media reported that a major explosion, likely caused by chemical materials, had led to the deaths of at least 25 people and injured more than 700 others at Bandar Abbas on Saturday.

Helicopters and firefighting planes continued to douse the burning port area with water throughout the night and into Sunday morning.

Authorities stated that the port's customs department had begun evacuating trucks from the affected area, noting that the container yard where the explosion occurred likely housed hazardous goods and chemical substances. All port operations were suspended following the incident.

Shahid Rajaee Port, located near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, is Iran’s largest container terminal and handles the majority of the country’s containerized trade, according to official reports.