Khamenei, leader of Iran, orders investigation into explosive port incident resulting in the death of approximately 40 individuals and leaving over 1,000 injured.
Here's the rewritten article:
In a swift response, Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, ordered a comprehensive probe into the origins of the catastrophic blast that rocked their key southern port, Shahid Rajaee, on Sunday. At least 40 lives were claimed and over a thousand people injured in this unforeseen mishap.
The explosion, which occurred on Saturday, was felt near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which a whopping fifth of the world's oil output passes. President Masoud Pezeshkian was among the first on the scene, assessing the devastation that continued to smolder more than 24 hours post-detonation.
"Security and judicial officials must vigorously investigate this incident, uncover any signs of negligence or deliberate wrongdoing, and proceed according to established protocols," Khamenei declared in a statement broadcast by state television.
Initial reports suggest that the blast, originating from containers in the port's wharf area, was the result of chemical compounds involving materials akin to sodium perchlorate or ammonium perchlorate, crucial components in solid rocket propellants[1][3][4].
As the investigation unfolds, Iranian authorities have denied media allegations of the explosion being linked to the mishandling of solid fuel used in missiles, asserting that no military-grade materials were present at the site[1][4]. A spokesperson for the Defense Ministry confirmed this, while acknowledging that a private security firm, Ambrey, had earlier suggested that a missile fuel chemical was indeed shipped to the port in March[1].
The chemical in question was due to replenish Iran's missile stocks, conscripted to maintain their offensive capabilities following direct attacks on Israel during the war in the Gaza Strip[1][4].
Social media footage captured the initial moments of the disaster, showcasing reddish-tinted smoke billowing from the site, strongly suggesting the involvement of chemical compounds - much like the Beirut explosion in 2020[5]. In the lead-up to the detonation, a man in one video can be heard shouting, "Get back! Tell the truck to go! It's going to blow up!"
On Saturday night, the state-run IRNA news agency declared that the Customs Administration of Iran attributed the blast to a "stockpile of hazardous goods and chemical materials stored in the port area." However, further details on the nature of these materials were not disclosed[1].
Seemingly targeted before, Shahid Rajaee has had a history of falling victim to cyberattacks, with one in 2020 attributed to Israel[2]. This came shortly after Israel claimed to have thwarted a cyberattack targeting their water infrastructure, which they attributed to Iran[2].
The Interior Ministry has launched an investigation into the incident, with President Pezeshkian expressing his condolences to those affected[1]. Shahid Rajaee port, located in Hormozgan province and approximately 1,050 kilometres (650 miles) southeast of Tehran on the Strait of Hormuz, remains a crucial economic artery for Iran[1].
(This article was adapted and original content was incorporated from France 24 with AP.)
[Enrichment Data Integration:The explosion at Iran's Shahid Rajaee Port on April 26, 2025, has been linked to the mishandling of materials associated with ballistic missile fuel. The blast, which originated from containers in the port’s wharf area, involved chemicals such as sodium perchlorate or ammonium perchlorate, critical components in solid rocket propellants[1][3][4]. It is worth noting that these chemicals are highly dangerous when mishandled or improperly stored. The Iranian government's denial of the involvement of military-grade materials in the blast raises questions regarding the nature of the chemicals involved and the adequacy of the port's safety measures.
Key details:- Cause: Initial reports suggest that the blast was due to chemical compounds (likely sodium perchlorate or ammonium perchlorate) housed in containers in the port’s wharf area.- Material origin: A March 2025 shipment from China contained these chemicals, intended to replenish missile stocks depleted during Iran’s 2024 strikes on Israel[1][4]. Security firm Ambrey identified the cargo as "sodium perchlorate rocket fuel," while other reports cited ammonium perchlorate[1][3][4].- Context: The explosion occurred during U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations in Oman, raising questions about heightened security vigilance against sabotage[1][3]. However, no direct evidence of external sabotage has been confirmed.]**
- The recent news article highlights the investigation ordered by Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, into the blast at Shahid Rajaee Port, which was linked to chemicals like sodium perchlorate or ammonium perchlorate often used in solid rocket propellants.
- The mishap at the strategic port, a crucial economic artery for Iran, claimed around 40 lives and injured over a thousand people, as reported in the general news section.
- In a rare joint effort, security and judicial officials are closely examining the incident for signs of negligence or deliberate wrongdoing, as per a statement from Khamenei.
- The Iranian government has denied media allegations linking the explosion to the mishandling of solid fuel used in missiles, ensuring the public that no military-grade materials were present at the scene.
- Notably, Shahid Rajaee Port, situated near the Strait of Hormuz, has a history of being targeted in cyberattacks, such as the one in 2020 attributed to Israel, adding a layer of cybersecurity concerns to the recent explosion.
