Bangladesh, April 28 -- A devastating explosion at a major port facility in Irans southern Hormozgan province has claimed at least 40 lives and left more than 1,000 injured, according to Iranian state media. The blast, which occurred on April 26, prompted President Masoud Pezeshkian to declare a national day of mourning and initiate a full government investigation into the cause of the incident.

The explosion took place at a port situated along the critical Strait of Hormuz, just 20 kilometers west of Bandar Abbas, Irans principal southern port city and the location of the Iranian Navys main operational base. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the worlds most strategically significant maritime corridors, responsible for the passage of a sign...