Is Sabotage the Cause of the Deadly Blast at Iranian Port?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Negligence in safety protocols played a significant role in the explosion.
- At least 70 lives were lost and over 1,200 people were injured.
- Authorities are actively investigating to determine the full cause.
- Operations at the port have resumed despite the tragedy.
- Immediate reviews of safety measures are necessary to prevent future incidents.
Tehran, April 29 (NationPress) The Governor of Hormozgan province in southern Iran, Mohammad Ashouri Taziani, dismissed claims on Tuesday suggesting that an act of sabotage led to the tragic explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port. This devastating incident, which occurred on Saturday, resulted in the loss of at least 70 lives and left over 1,200 individuals injured, as reported by the official news agency IRNA.
Ashouri Taziani pointed out that while some foreign media speculated about sabotage, the initial findings indicated that this theory lacked sufficient credibility. According to the provincial crisis management headquarters, inadequate adherence to safety protocols and passive defense measures were significant factors contributing to the explosion.
Additionally, Iran's Interior Minister, Eskandar Momeni, referred to “certain negligence” as a contributing factor to the deadly blast, as reported by Xinhua news agency. The fire at Shahid Rajaee Port has been fully contained, but rescue and relief efforts are still underway, as noted by the semi-official Mehr news agency.
In a recent interview with state-run IRIB TV, Momeni elaborated on the ongoing investigations, stating that individuals responsible for confirmed negligence had been summoned. He emphasized that a failure to observe safety regulations and passive defense measures significantly contributed to the disaster. Momeni urged the relevant authorities and the investigative committee to expedite their efforts to accurately determine the cause of this tragic event.
Following the explosion, Hossein Sajedinia, head of Iran's National Disaster Management Organisation, informed IRIB that some containers at the port contained flammable materials such as pitch, while others held chemicals. Despite the incident, operations and cargo handling at the port's wharfs have resumed, according to IRNA.