Did Chinese Fuel Imports Trigger the Iran Port Explosion?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Explosion linked to Chinese imports.
- 40 lives lost and over 1,000 injured.
- Investigation underway for accountability.
- National day of mourning declared.
- Concerns over safety protocols in hazardous materials handling.
Tehran, April 28 (NationPress) The devastating explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port in Hormozgan province, Iran, which has resulted in 40 fatalities, was reportedly linked to missile fuel components imported from China, as per various media outlets.
In January, following a decrease in Tehran's supplies due to its ongoing conflict with Israel, a shipment containing sodium perchlorate, a widely used missile fuel ingredient, was sent from China to Iran.
Subsequently, in March, the port received this shipment of sodium perchlorate rocket fuel, with reports indicating that the explosion on Saturday was a direct result of mishandling this hazardous material.
Moreover, the explosion was exacerbated by the improper storage of ammonium perchlorate at the facility, as stated by the private security firm Ambrey and The New York Times.
On Sunday night, Mohammad Ashuri, the governor-general of Hormozgan Province, confirmed that the death toll had tragically risen to 40 with over 1,000 individuals injured, as reported by the official IRNA News Agency.
Reports further indicated that the Saturday blast caused widespread destruction in the vicinity and significantly impacted various industries in western Bandar Abbas.
Eskandar Momeni, the Iranian Minister of Interior, has been tasked with overseeing the investigation and ongoing relief efforts, announcing that a committee is currently examining all relevant evidence related to this explosion.
The cabinet of President Masoud Pezeshkian declared a national day of mourning on Monday in light of this tragic event.
Initially, it was reported that the explosion originated from a gas tank within the port, creating a massive column of smoke that caused extensive damage to nearby structures and vehicles.
The National Disaster Management Organization, represented by Hossein Zafari, informed the semi-official Fars news agency that the explosion was triggered by chemical materials contained within a container at the port.