section_path: Background
section_name: Background
paragraph_text: Background
  
  The Port of Shahid Rajaee is Iran's largest commercial port and maritime hub, handling approximately 80 million tons of goods annually. Located on the north shores of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, it serves as a critical hub for the country's maritime trade. The port is approximately 23 kilometres (14 miles) west of Bandar Abbas and is adjacent to facilities operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
  
  In 2020, Israel launched an attack that hampered operations at the Shahid Rajaee port.
  
  The explosion occurred as the Iran–US negotiations were held in Oman with the aim of reaching an agreement regarding Iran's nuclear program. Before the meetings began, Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said that "our security services are on high alert given past instances of attempted sabotage and assassination operations designed to provoke a legitimate response".