ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iranian authorities on Sunday arrested two individuals, including a government-affiliated “manager,” in connection with the deadly explosion that rocked the country’s main commercial port late last month, state television reported.
“Following the proven negligence of some relevant officials, the process of summoning, investigating, and detaining a number of suspects is underway. In this regard, a government manager and another from the private sector have been legally detained,” Iran’s state-run TV cited the committee investigating the incident as stating.
The committee elaborated that “the process of summoning and conducting field investigations is in progress,” adding that “determining the exact and final cause of the incident requires further expert investigations and precise technical and laboratory measures.”
A massive blast occurred at the Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas on April 26, when a fuel tanker exploded. The port, one of Iran’s most vital commercial hubs, handles roughly 70 million tons of goods annually and is located along the Strait of Hormuz, from which one-fifth of global oil output passes.
The state-run Iranian News Agency (IRNA) on Sunday quoted the southern Hormozgan Province’s chief justice as stating that the port explosion resulted in “57 confirmed deaths,” revising the initial toll of 70.
Mojtaba Ghahremani further noted that “46 bodies have thus far been identified,” adding that “some fatalities were mistakenly counted due to body fragments later determined to belong to the same individual.”
The explosion also resulted in more than 1,000 injuries.
In response to the incident, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in late April ordered a comprehensive investigation into the blast.
“Security and judicial officials are required to conduct a thorough investigation, uncover any negligence or intent, and pursue it in accordance with regulations,” Khamenei said.
The investigative committee stated on Sunday that it “continues to rigorously examine all aspects of the incident,” pledging that the inquiry would proceed without delay or leniency.
Updates will be shared as the investigation progresses to keep the public informed, the committee added.
In late April, The New York Times cited an anonymous source linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as stating that the explosion involved sodium perchlorate, a key component used in solid missile fuel.
However, Iran’s defense ministry spokesperson Reza Talaei-Nik indirectly dismissed the suggestion, saying, “There has been no imported or exported cargo for military fuel or military use in the area.”
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