Fire at Rajaei Port largely contained, says government

Iran's nuclear program is merely the tip of the iceberg in the broader spectrum of disagreements between Tehran and the West, the former head of the country's atomic energy organization said on Sunday.

Fereydoun Abbasi, who previously led the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), said that the way Western powers approach the nuclear issue will significantly determine the trajectory of these multifaceted disputes.

Speaking to Iranian media, Abbasi cautioned against relying on information about ongoing negotiations that emerges through the press. "One cannot rely on the data that comes out about the negotiations from the media," he said, suggesting that the full scope of discussions remains behind closed doors.

Beyond the nuclear file, Abbasi highlighted a range of contentious issues that contribute to the strained relationship between Iran and Western nations. "Missile discussions, the region, human rights, women's rights – all are subjects of disagreement," he added.

Tehran’s major newspapers offered divergent accounts of the explosion at Shahid Rajaei Port. Reformist-leaning Ham-Mihan warned of possible “treachery” from insiders, writing that “the simultaneity of the blast and US-Iran talks is unlikely to be coincidental.”

In contrast, conservative outlets Kayhan, Vatan-e Emrooz, and Javan blamed poor container safety, linking foreign “saboteurs” to speculation. Kayhan urged official findings before spreading “baseless narratives,” Authorities have yet to announce conclusive findings on the cause of the explosion.

What exploded in Iran's Rajaei port on Saturday "was sodium perchlorate, a major ingredient in solid fuel for missiles," the New York Times reported citing a person with ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss security matters.

A water bomber, 60 fire trucks, and 700 rescue personnel are taking part in the operation to contain the huge fire that has engulfed Shahid Rajaee port in southern Iran, according to a local crisis management official.

​As of 3 pm on Saturday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intelligence forces have taken full control of the Shahid Rajaei Port area, including port facilities and adjacent customs buildings, Iran International has learned.

Sources indicate that even the port's security guards and customs protection personnel have been denied access to these zones.​

Reports also suggest that IRGC forces are preventing vehicle owners from retrieving their cars parked in the limited-access parking areas of the Shahid Rajaei port and customs facilities.​

In the city of Bandar Abbas, even in eastern districts far from the port, air pollution levels are so high that residents widely report the smell of burning and nasal irritation.​

The eastern and northern exit routes from Bandar Abbas are experiencing heavy traffic due to a significant exodus of residents.​

According to local citizens, the initial explosion caused ground tremors that many mistook for a major earthquake.