Iran's Port Explosion: Negligence Identified as Key Factor in Tragic Blast

Following the catastrophic explosion at Shahid Rajaee port, Iran’s interior minister has blamed negligence, resulting in over 70 fatalities and extensive injuries. Investigations highlight safety violations, while conflicting reports about the cause and nature of the cargo involved emerge.

Iran's interior minister has confirmed that negligence played a significant role in the massive explosion and fire at Shahid Rajaee port, Iran’s largest container port, which occurred on Saturday, resulting in a rising death toll of at least 70 and injuries surpassing 1,000. Eskandar Momeni stated that the incident stemmed from "shortcomings, including noncompliance with safety precautions and negligence."

Authorities have summoned individuals held responsible for the disaster for questioning, while the customs office reported that the imported cargo that ignited was unregistered and not formally declared. The aftermath of the explosion has seen firefighters continuing their efforts to extinguish fires two days post-blast, with Hormozgan's Governor Mohammad Ashouri Taziani estimating that clean-up operations could extend over the next week or two.

According to the CEO of the operational company, Sina Marine and Port Services Development, the explosion followed repeated errors linked to the misrepresentation of hazardous materials. Despite foreign media alleging that the blast was tied to a dangerous shipment of sodium perchlorate—commonly associated with missile fuel—Iran's defence ministry vehemently denied such claims, characterizing them as "fake news."

Ambrey Intelligence, a maritime risk consultancy, indicated that the port did receive such a shipment, suggesting that improper handling may have led to the catastrophic event. Reports from the New York Times, citing an anonymous source linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, further fueled speculation about the explosive nature of the cargo involved.