The death toll from the explosion at Iran's Shahid Rajaei port on Saturday has increased to 25. As per the latest reports from AP, not only has the death toll increased, but the number of injured is now expected to be around 750.
The cause of the blast is yet to be ascertained but has been linked to a shipment of a chemical ingredient used to make missile propellant.
The death toll from the explosion at Iran's Shahid Rajaei port on Saturday has increased to 25. As per the latest reports from AP, not only has the death toll increased, but the number of injured is now expected to be around 750.
The cause of the blast is yet to be ascertained, but has been linked to a shipment of a chemical ingredient used to make missile propellant.
The fire is yet to be doused. Helicopters and aircraft continue to dump water from the air through the night till Sunday morning.
As per Iran International, the fire at the port has been "largely contained."
Furthermore, the governor of Hormozgan has declared three days of public mourning in the province in connection with the 25 people that have died.
An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the blast. While no outside hand is alleged to have caused the blast, Iran has still issued a high alert.
"Our security services are on high alert given past instances of attempted sabotage and assassination operations designed to provoke a legitimate response," said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
As per private security firm Ambrey, the chemical used to make fuel for the missile is likely to have caused the blast.
As per an AP report, "the chemical used to make solid propellant for rockets was going to be used to replenish Iran's missile stocks, which had been depleted by its direct attacks on Israel during the war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip."
"The fire was reportedly the result of improper handling of a shipment of solid fuel intended for use in Iranian ballistic missiles," Ambrey said.