Iran Port Blast Kills 46; Reports Link Explosion to Missile Fuel Shipment

Tehran: The death toll from a massive explosion at Iran’s Shahid Rajaee Port, near Bandar Abbas, rose to 46 on Monday, according to local officials. Iranian state television, citing local authorities, confirmed the figures but stated that the cause of the explosion remains unclear, prompting more questions about the incident.

Reports of Missile Fuel Shipment and Mishandling

Private security firm Ambrey reported that in March, the port received a shipment of “sodium perchlorate rocket fuel,” a chemical used in missile production. The shipment, part of a consignment from China, was originally reported by the Financial Times in January. It was allegedly intended to replenish Iran’s missile stockpile, which had been depleted following direct attacks on Israel during the Gaza conflict.
Ambrey suggested that the fire may have been caused by the improper storage of the solid missile fuel. However, Iranian military officials have denied receiving any chemical cargo at the port. Videos circulating on social media showed thick red smoke just before the explosion, indicating the presence of chemical compounds, similar to the Beirut port explosion in 2020.

Allegations of False Declarations and Customs Lapses

Late Sunday night, Iran’s semi-official ILNA news agency quoted Saeed Jafari, CEO of a maritime services company operating at the port, who claimed that false declarations were made about the cargo linked to the explosion. Jafari stated that the incident occurred due to hazardous materials being shipped without proper documentation or labels.

Another report suggested that customs officials were not informed about the dangerous cargo, raising serious concerns over port management and safety protocols.