Investigation Reveals Inaccurate Documentation Behind Deadly Iran Port Blast

Investigators found false statements in shipment documentation connected to a devastating blast at Iran's Shahid Rajaee port that claimed 70 lives.

Iranian authorities are delving into the catastrophic explosion that recently occurred at the strategically significant Shahid Rajaee port, resulting in a death toll that has now risen to 70. Investigators have disclosed that the shipment believed to instigate the blast was misrepresented in its documentation, leading to significant safety oversights. The explosion, which took place on Saturday, sparked an extensive fire that raged for hours, sending plumes of thick black smoke billowing into the air.

A governmental committee formed to investigate the incident released a statement indicating that they had uncovered evidence of "false statements" within the cargo documentation. Investigators are currently working to uncover the identities of those responsible for the misleading documentation. Iranian officials have emphasized that the shipment involved hazardous materials, although specifics about the substances remain unconfirmed. Alarmingly, the cargo was improperly classified and treated as ordinary goods within the port.

Surveillance footage from the scene captured the chaotic moments leading up to the explosion, highlighting the growing fire that sparked fear among those in the vicinity. Despite the ongoing investigation, details about when and how the hazardous shipment arrived at the port, as well as the vessel responsible for its delivery, have been largely undisclosed by Iranian officials.

According to an anonymous source with ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, sodium perchlorate—a key ingredient in missile solid fuel—was present in the cargo. The extraordinary force of the explosion necessitated forensic expertise to identify 22 of the deceased, as reported by the provincial governor. Among approximately 1,200 injured individuals, around 120 are still receiving medical care.

Operating along the vital Strait of Hormuz, the Shahid Rajaee port represents 85 percent of Iran’s container shipping traffic, making it a pivotal point for the nation’s oil exports amid economic distress. Historically, the port has been subjected to cyber threats, including a 2020 attack attributed to Israel amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. Nonetheless, both Iranian and Israeli officials have not suggested that this explosion was due to an external attack.

In a recent television interview, Ebrahim Azizi, the head of the Iranian parliament's security and foreign policy committee, did not address allegations regarding potential financial motives behind the misleading shipment documentation. Promising transparency, the committee stated that results from the ongoing investigation would be disclosed promptly.