Corruption clouds port X-ray deals, MP says graft blocking vital security

A Tehran MP has accused entrenched corruption of derailing efforts to install X-ray scanners at Iran’s ports, warning that the absence of basic security measures has left the country exposed.
“There’s a power struggle over which company gets the contract,” said Morteza Mahmoudi, who visited Bandar Rajaei after a devastating fire engulfed thousands of containers.

Mahmoudi said rent-seeking interests have blocked the purchase of screening equipment critical to national safety.
“This is tied to the country’s security, but it’s being sabotaged by behind-the-scenes power games,” he added.

The MP said that at the time of the explosion, over 3,600 containers were piled at the site, with 2,000 of them catching fire. He blamed negligence, poor oversight, and lack of non-military defense planning for the disaster.