A massive explosion at a strategic Iranian port killed at least 14 people and injured 750 others on Saturday, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency in the coastal city that serves as a vital shipping hub for the Islamic Republic.

The explosion occurred at the port of Bandar Abbas in southwestern Iran, sending a massive plume of thick gray smoke into the air, with footage showing the blast originating in what appears to be a warehouse facility, according to videos geolocated by CNN.

Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani indicated the explosion likely involved chemical containers, stating that they were stored in a “corner of the port that likely contained chemicals which exploded.”

However, she cautioned, “Until the fire is extinguished, it’s hard to ascertain the cause.”

Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni confirmed that six people remain missing as firefighters battle the blaze amid challenging high winds.

BREAKING: Massive explosion hits the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas pic.twitter.com/PDNvcmCVOi

— BNO News (@BNONews) April 26, 2025

The state-controlled oil company denied responsibility for the explosion, with state media company IRIB reporting that the explosion took place in the chemical and sulfur section of the port.

The blast caused widespread destruction, shattering windows within a radius of several kilometers and leaving buildings at the port complex severely damaged, with reports indicating some people may be trapped in collapsed structures.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered an investigation into the incident and dispatched the interior minister to the region to “examine the dimensions of the accident” and conduct “a comprehensive assessment” to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Health authorities have advised citizens to remain indoors, avoid outdoor activities, and keep windows closed due to significant air pollution concerns, while many Iranians were seen lining up at health centers to donate blood for the injured.

The now-decimated facility is a critical infrastructure asset for Iran, spanning 2,400 hectares with 35 shipping berths and handling approximately 70 million tons of cargo annually, including oil shipments and general cargo, per CNN.

Regional governor Mohammad Ashouri Taziani confirmed that injured people were being transferred to local medical centers in Bandar Abbas, while the port has been closed and all maritime operations suspended until further notice.

President Donald Trump on Saturday morning criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for continuing to hit Ukraine, and suggested Putin needs to be “dealt with differently” moving forward.

The same morning, minutes before Pope Francis’ funeral, Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in St. Peter’s Basilica. Both sides signaled that the meeting was “good” and “productive.”

“There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. “It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along.”

Trump added that Putin might have “to be dealt with differently, through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions?’ Too many people are dying!!!”

Notably, 50 senators — 25 Democrats and 25 Republicans — introduced a bill earlier this month that would impose additional sanctions on Russia.

Truth Social: Screenshot

Trump’s post also said the idea that Ukraine would get back Crimea is “ridiculous,” and slammed former President Barack Obama for allowing Russia to take the territory. Zelensky has said that he won’t recognize Russia’s control of Crimea.

“[The New York Times’ Peter Baker] wrote that Ukraine should get back territory, including, I suppose, Crimea, and other ridiculous requests, in order to stop the killing that is worse than anything since World War II,” Trump wrote. “Why doesn’t this lightweight reporter say that it was Obama who made it possible for Russia to steal Crimea from Ukraine without even a shot being fired.”

In a Time magazine article published on Friday, Trump said he would facilitate a deal between Russia and Ukraine, but noted that Putin would have liked to “take the whole thing,” referring to Ukrainian territory.

“Yeah, I think Putin will [make peace],” Trump said. “I think Putin would rather do it a different way. I think he’d rather go and take the whole thing. And I think that because of me, I believe I’m the only one that can get this thing negotiated. And I think we’re a long way. We’ve had very good talks, and we’re getting very close to a deal. And I don’t believe anybody else could have made that deal.”

On Friday, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow to speak with Putin and other top Russian officials and push for a peace deal.

Putin advisers Yuri Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev said the meeting was “constructive and useful,” and brought the United States and Russia “closer together” on Ukraine and other issues, according to Axios. Additionally, Witkoff and Putin discussed the possibility of resuming direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

Related: Trump Meets With Zelensky At Vatican Ahead Of Pope’s Funeral: ‘Very Productive’