Iranian Authorities Hold Negligence Responsible for Port Explosion as Casualties Climb

The devastating explosion at Iran's Shahid Rajaee port has resulted in at least 70 fatalities and over 1,000 injuries. Iranian officials are currently investigating the causes behind the incident, assigning blame to negligence and safety shortcomings.

Iran's interior minister, Eskandar Momeni, announced on Monday that the massive blast at Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas was due to negligence and failure to adhere to safety standards. The explosion, which occurred on Saturday, has led to a rising death toll of at least 70, with more than 1,000 individuals injured during the incident.

Momeni stated that deficiencies in safety precautions played a significant role in the disaster. Consequently, some individuals identified as responsible have been summoned for questioning. Reports from customs authorities note that the fire originated from imported cargo that went up in flames before the explosion took place.

While Hormozgan’s crisis management director, Mehrdad Hassanzadeh, indicated that firefighting efforts at the port were nearing completion, Governor Mohammad Ashouri Taziani warned that clearing operations might extend over several days and full normalization of the port could take one to two weeks. The explosion severely impacted nearly 1,500 hectares (3,700 acres) of the facility—almost two-thirds of its area.

Initially slow to confirm specifics, Iran's customs administration revealed that the cargo responsible for the explosion had neither been registered nor formally reported prior to the incident. This led the CEO of Sina Marine and Port Services Development Company, which operates in the damaged area, to cite "catastrophic errors" related to inaccurate declarations of hazardous materials.

In contrast, Iran's defense ministry has dismissed claims from foreign sources alleging that the explosion stemmed from mishandling a shipment of sodium perchlorate, a chemical associated with missile fuel. Brig Gen Reza Talai-Nik, the ministry's spokesman, insisted that there had been no import or export of military-related cargo in the vicinity, attributing foreign narratives to misinformation.

Despite the official denial, Ambrey Intelligence, a maritime risk consultancy, reported that sodium perchlorate was delivered to the port last month and that improper handling could have led to the explosion. The New York Times referenced an anonymous source connected to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, asserting that the material was indeed responsible. The fallout from this tragic event continues, intensifying scrutiny on safety measures across Iran's ports.