ShareA child's gas mask and a shoe are seen at a kindergarten in the abandoned city of Prypiat near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, April 4, 2011. The devastating port blast on Iran’s southern coast has prompted comparisons to the Chernobyl disaster, with some Iranian thinkers seeing echoes of the Soviet Union’s final days in their own country’s unraveling. All rights reserved for Volant Media UK LimitedLike the explosion at the nuclear power plant in 1986 the deadly blast at Iran’s Bandar Abbas port—reportedly caused by missile fuel stored at a civilian facility—has become a symbol of decay Chernobyl ushered in political change and the collapse of Communism Could this be the beginning of the end of the Islamic Republic both Russia and Iran were backward agrarian societies ruled by monarchs and haunted by their failures to modernize but the empire still lagged behind Western Europeans in industry and capital accumulation leftist and liberal movements had begun to emerge in Russia aiming to abolish serfdom and challenge autocracy as part of a broader push for modernization were beginning to call for fundamental change this quest culminated in the dual revolutions of 1917 it led to the Constitutional Revolution of 1905 which brought Iranians partial representation but little material progress That began only with the rise of Reza Shah in 1925 Reza Shah confronted the clergy and their medieval traditions' hold on Iranian society He oversaw an extensive program of modernisation that continued under his son and transformed the country in many ways But without democratic development and under pressure from leftist and clerical opposition Iran’s own “October Revolution” came in 1979 Iran's post-revolutionary regime was anti-West It was largely backed by pro-Soviet activists—most of whom were soon crushed by the religious camp while some quietly adapted and remained in the system Iranian Red Crescent rescuers work following an explosion at the Rajaei port in Bandar Abbas and sustained itself on repression and slogans and the economy is wrecked with years of sanctions and mismanagement Could it be argued then that the Islamic Republic today stands at a similar crossroads to that of the Soviet Union in the late 1980s the theocracy is under enormous pressure from the United States and Israel A clear majority reject the ruling ideology and want out as evidenced by widespread protests and growing defiance of Islamic restrictions But the Soviet Union had reform-minded leadership some Soviet leaders recognized the system’s failure."The only one truly believing in Communism at the time was chief ideologist Mikhail Suslov," the last leader of Armenia’s Communist Party And at the very top stood Mikhail Gorbachev who became General Secretary in 1985 and launched the reformist movement of Perestroika and Glasnost who is no Gorbachev— and may even have a few lessons to teach Suslov in rigidity Khamenei's security forces have shown no hesitation in shooting unarmed protesters Gorbachev could act because the Soviet Union was run by a monolithic party that controlled the state Power rests with one man who presides over a web of largely dysfunctional institutions tied and surviving mainly by their will to repress The Soviet Union collapsed not by popular uprising but with Gorbachev's top-down liberalization No such campaign would be entertained let alone initiated by the leader of the Islamic Republic The explosion in Bandar Abbas may have shocked and angered Iranians but it was no Chernobyl in scale—and it's unlikely to be a Chernobyl in impact any 'Soviet moment' is more of a warning than a turning point Iran’s clerical leaders are attempting to suppress discussion in Iran on the causes of the explosion in Bandar Abbas port on April 26 The official narrative pushes the idea that the explosion was caused by a safety breach in handling hazardous material Officials are also claiming the port is getting back to normal given that cranes and container handling material on the operational quays were not directly impacted by the blast Deputy Minister of Transport and Head of the Ports and Maritime Organization claimed that since the disaster 26 ships have been turned around in the port The Vessel Finder website reports that “39 vessels have arrived within the past 24 hours and that 15 ships are expected to arrive in the next 30 days.” The Minister also insisted that damage was confined to a 15-hectare area of the container yard Warnings have been issued to Iranian media not to query this official line Iran’s reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian often at variance with the clerical and IRGC leadership demanding a thorough and transparent investigation into the causes of the explosion He has also focused on the victims of the disaster appreciating the risks that those with grievances could spark wider social unrest.  port workers have commented that as many as 300 may have been killed in the explosion at variance with the official figure of 70 because of the number of undocumented and illegal workers who were employed in the container yards and because no trace remains of many of those who are still missing and with administrative buildings and transport infrastructure damaged a return to normal working is likely to be some way off Analysis from satellite imagery of the fire and blast damage has revealed that the seat of the explosion was in the container yard belonging to Sina Marine and Port Services immediately adjacent to the administrative offices of the company along with all traces of the workers within The company is controlled by the Mostazafan Foundation one of numerous quasi-charitable entities in Iran that are directly controlled by the Supreme Leader and are otherwise independent of government control an arrangement whose purpose is to ring-fence the revenues earned for funding the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) The Mostazafan Foundation is sanctioned by the United States which government hardliners are claiming was the seat of the explosion appears to be undamaged and lies 1400 yards northwest of ground zero in the Sina container storage area The hypothesis that the explosion was of the ammonium perchlorate shipped from China has been further reinforced by the reddish color of the mushroom cloud attributable to nitrogen dioxide which is a byproduct of the combustion of ammonium perchlorate In the immediate aftermath of the explosion members of the IRGC sought to remove particular containers which had not been immediately damaged The aftermath of the explosion at the Ava Nar Parsian Chemical Industries factory (Mehr News Agency) this time in a factory in Isfahan Province which has previously been associated with the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA) being one of Iran’s two principal drone manufacturers The explosion in the Ava Nar Parsian Chemical Industries' factory in Isfahan Province occurred on the morning of April 29 and killed two workers.  that the site had suffered an explosion that injured nine people previously known as the Nargostar Sepahan complex is believed to manufacture the integrated warheads built into the HESA-manufactured drones The Jerusalem Post implied that the 2021 explosion was a reprisal attack a response to the interception the previous week of a drone launched from Iraq which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed had been Iranian.  Neither the damage caused at the port in Bandar Abbas nor the explosion at the HESA/Nargostar site are likely to be more than temporary setbacks for Iran’s drone manufacturing program The underlying intention behind the events is likely to be political designed to influence the current dialogue ongoing between Iran and the United States so as to ensure that any agreement also includes curbs on Iranian drone and missile manufacture.  The opinions expressed herein are the author's and not necessarily those of The Maritime Executive after a massive explosion and fire rocked a port near the southern port city of Bandar Abbas Smoke rises in background next to the gutted remains of a truck In this photo provided by Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) firefighters work as black smoke rises in the sky after a massive explosion rocked a port near the southern city of Bandar Abbas In this photo provided by Islamic Republic News Agency men carry an injured man after a massive explosion near the southern port city of Bandar Abbas a black smoke rises in the sky as vehicles drive on the road after a massive explosion near the southern port city of Bandar Abbas two men on a motorcycle drive through debris after a massive explosion rocked a port near the southern port city of Bandar Abbas a black smoke rises in the sky as vehicles drive on the road after a massive explosion rocked a port near the southern port city of Bandar Abbas In this photo provided by Tasnim News Agency black smoke rises in the sky after a massive explosion rocked a port near the southern port city of Bandar Abbas (Meysam Mirzadeh/Tasnim News Agency via AP) men walk through debris after a massive explosion rocked a port near the southern port city of Bandar Abbas In this photo provided by Iranian Students’ News Agency a black smoke rises in the sky after a massive explosion rocked a port near the southern port city of Bandar Abbas a helicopter drops water on the fire after a massive explosion rocked a port near the southern port city of Bandar Abbas A massive explosion and fire has rocked a port in southern Iran purportedly linked to a shipment of a chemical ingredient used to make missile propellant A disaster official told Iranian state media that the blast on Saturday killed five people and injured more than 700 others The Associated Press’ Jon Gambrell explains A massive explosion and fire rocked a port Saturday in southern Iran purportedly linked to a shipment of a chemical ingredient used to make missile propellant killing 14 people and injuring around 750 others Helicopters and aircraft dumped water from the air on the raging fire through the night into Sunday morning at the Shahid Rajaei port Oman (AP) — A massive explosion and fire rocked a port Saturday in southern Iran purportedly linked to a shipment of a chemical ingredient used to make missile propellant killing 25 people and injuring around 800 others No one in Iran outright suggested that the explosion came from an attack even Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday acknowledged that “our security services are on high alert given past instances of attempted sabotage and assassination operations designed to provoke a legitimate response.” saying authorities identified only 10 of the dead AP correspondent Julie Walker reports on a deadly explosion at a port in Iran linked to missile fuel shipment state TV reported the fire was under control and will be fully extinguished later Sunday It also said activities have resumed at the port showing footage of containers of a commercial ship being unloaded There were few details on what sparked the blaze just outside of Bandar Abbas causing other containers to reportedly explode “The fire was reportedly the result of improper handling of a shipment of solid fuel intended for use in Iranian ballistic missiles,” Ambrey said the spokesman of Iran’s defense ministry Gen denied reports that missile fuel had been imported through the port “No sort of imported and exporting consignment for fuel or military application was (or) is in the site of the port,” he told state TV by phone He called foreign reports on the missile fuel baseless Ship-tracking data analyzed by The Associated Press put one of the vessels believed to be carrying the chemical in the vicinity in March Iran hasn’t acknowledged taking the shipment Social media footage of the explosion on Saturday at Shahid Rajaei saw reddish-hued smoke rising from the fire just before the detonation That suggests a chemical compound being involved in the blast Tell the gas (truck) to go!” a man in one video shouted just before the blast the state-run IRNA news agency said that the Customs Administration of Iran blamed a “stockpile of hazardous goods and chemical materials stored in the port area” for the blast An aerial shot released by Iranian media after the blast showed fires burning at multiple locations in the port with authorities later warning about air pollution from chemicals such as ammonia sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide in the air Schools and offices in Bandar Abbas will be closed Sunday as well A 2020 cyberattack attributed to Israel targeted the port It came after Israel said that it thwarted a cyberattack targeting its water infrastructure Israeli officials didn’t respond to requests for comment regarding Saturday’s explosion Social media videos showed black billowing smoke after the blast Others showed glass blown out of buildings kilometers State media footage showed the injured crowding into at least one hospital with ambulances arriving as medics rushed one person by on a stretcher the provincial disaster management official earlier told state television that the blast came from containers at Shahid Rajaei port in the city State television also reported that there had been a building collapse caused by the explosion The Interior Ministry said that it launched an investigation into the blast Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also offered his condolences to those affected in the blast Shahid Rajaei port in Hormozgan province is about 1,050 kilometers (650 miles) southeast of Iran’s capital the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20% of all oil traded passes Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker The blast took place at Shahid Rajaee, the country's largest commercial port, near the southern city of Bandar Abbas on Saturday morning. It blew out windows and roofs of nearby buildings and destroyed cars. Residents reported feeling the impact of the blast up to 50km (31 miles) away. Six people remain unaccounted for, state media reports. Videos verified by the BBC show a fire growing in intensity before a huge explosion, with people subsequently fleeing the blast and others lying wounded on roads surrounded by smoking debris. "The entire warehouse was filled with smoke, dust and ashes. I don't remember if I went under the table or was thrown there by the blast," one person who was in the area told Iranian state TV. Aerial footage showed at least three areas ablaze and Iran's interior minister later confirmed that the fire was spreading from one container to another. Schools and offices in the region have been ordered to remain closed on Sunday. One private maritime risk consultancy said it believed the affected containers had contained solid fuel destined for ballistic missiles. The fire was the result of "improper handling of a shipment of solid fuel intended for use in Iranian ballistic missiles", Ambrey Intelligence said. Ambrey added that it was aware that an Iran-flagged ship "discharged a shipment of sodium perchlorate rocket fuel at the port in March 2025". The Financial Times newspaper had previously reported that two vessels had shipped fuel to Iran from China. State media quoted witnesses as saying the explosion occurred after a fire broke out and spread to unsealed containers storing "flammable materials". Customs officials later released a statement reported by Iranian state TV saying the explosion had probably resulted from a fire that had broken out in a hazmat and chemical materials storage depot. In a later update Ambrey quoted Iran's National Disaster Management Organisation as saying officials had previously issued warnings to Shahid Rajaee port regarding the safe storage of chemicals. Shahid Rajaee port is Iran's largest and most advanced terminal, through which much of the country's sea-borne cargo transits. It is located on the Strait of Hormuz, a major shipping channel for oil cargo, and is about 20km (12 miles) west of Bandar Abbas, Iran's major port city on its south coast and home to the Iranian Navy's main base. Iran's national oil production company said the explosion at the port had "no connection" to the country's oil refineries, fuel tanks and pipelines, local media reported. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed his "deep regret and sympathy" for victims. He has announced a government investigation and sent the interior minister to the region to lead it. Saturday's explosion coincided with the latest round of negotiations between Iranian and US officials on Iran's nuclear programme, with US President Donald Trump aiming to make a deal that would prevent Tehran from gaining nuclear weapons. Negotiating through Oman mediators, both sides reported that progress had been made, but Iran's top representative said work was still needed to narrow differences. Negotiations will continue next week. Iran has said it is open to curbs on its nuclear programme in return for sanctions easing but has insisted it will not stop enriching uranium. It insists its nuclear programme is for civilian use. The talks this year have marked the first high-level engagement between the US and Iran since 2018, when Trump in his first term pulled out of a previous deal to restrict Iran's nuclear activities and reinstated economic sanctions. Seven of the men arrested at various addresses across England are Iranian nationals, police say. The interior minister said "some individuals deemed responsible" for Saturday's blast at Shahid Rajaee are being questioned. A blame game begins amid reports solid fuel intended for ballistic missiles may have been improperly stored. Moment driver sees huge explosion rip through Iran portAt least four people have been killed and 500 more injured in Bandar Abbas. Iranian and US officials agree to continue with a third round of high-stakes talks on a new nuclear deal. Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Writing by John Davison; Editing by Susan Fenton Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab , opens new tab Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. , opens new tabScreen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved You don't have permission to access the page you requested. What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed. Polisi Tangkap 13 Jaringan Judi Online di Sumut MEDAN, KOMPAS.com – Polisi menangkap 13 pelaku jaringan judi online di Sumatera Utara dalam operasi yang berlangsung sejak 11 hingga 17 November 2024 Para pelaku terdiri dari pemain, agen, hingga bandar judi online tetapi juga agen dan bandar yang berperan dalam peredaran judi online ini,” ujar Hadi dalam keterangan tertulisnya Baca juga: Kasus Ivan Sugianto di Surabaya, dari Suruh Siswa Menggonggong hingga Terindikasi Terlibat Judi Online Hadi menjelaskan, para pelaku yang ditangkap menggunakan berbagai platform judi online, mulai dari togel, slot, hingga judi bola. Operasi ini dilakukan oleh jajaran Polres di wilayah Sumut “Jenis judi online yang kami temukan sangat beragam Kami terus berupaya menekan semua jenis perjudian yang merugikan masyarakat,” katanya Polisi menyita sejumlah barang bukti seperti perangkat elektronik dan akses ke akun judi online yang digunakan oleh para pelaku “Semua barang bukti kini diproses secara hukum untuk memperkuat tuntutan terhadap tersangka,” jelas Hadi Penindakan ini sejalan dengan program Asta Cita pemerintah untuk menciptakan ruang digital yang bersih dan aman dari kejahatan “Kami akan terus intensifkan patroli dunia maya guna menanggulangi peredaran judi daring di wilayah Sumut,” katanya Baca juga: Menteri Sosial Tegaskan Tidak Ada Bansos untuk Korban Judi Online Hadi mengimbau masyarakat agar aktif melaporkan aktivitas perjudian online yang mencurigakan melalui saluran pengaduan resmi “Kami mengajak seluruh lapisan masyarakat untuk bersama-sama menjaga ruang digital tetap aman dan bersih dari aktivitas ilegal,” tutupnya Kompas Cyber Media (Kompas Gramedia Digital Group) Baca juga: '+json_baca_juga.items[i].title+' Iranian Red Crescent rescuers work following an explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas Iranian Red Crescent/WANA (West Asia News Agency) Handout via REUTERS DUBAI, April 28 (Reuters) – The death toll from a major explosion in Iran’s most important container port of Bandar Abbas rose to at least 65 as firefighters battled a blaze that Iranian officials said was now under control 48 hours after the start of the fire Saturday’s blast took place in the Shahid Rajaee section of the port Efforts to put out the ensuing blaze have continued since with sporadic fires breaking out due to wind and flammable goods in the containers some releasing toxic emissions in the area “After putting the huge fire under control the number of the dead in this incident has reached 65,” Iran’s state media said “Removing containers could take up to two weeks,” it added Iran’s ISNA news agency cited its interior minister Eskandar Momeni as saying national operations to confront the fire inShahid Rajaee had ended and the management of firefighting had been handed over to local authorities “Shortcomings in regards to not respecting security protocols have been identified and some of the individuals at fault have been summoned,” Momeni said Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday ordered an investigation to “uncover any negligence or intent” behind the incident an indication that authorities are not ruling out sabotage The incident occurred as Iran began a third round of nuclear talks with the United States in Oman but there was no indication of a link between the two events Iran’s Infrastructure Communications Company said on Monday that a large cyber attack against the country’s infrastructure had been repelled a day after the blast Poor storage of chemicals in containers is suspected of having caused the explosion A spokesperson for the crisis management organization said on Saturday that earlier warnings had highlighted potential safety risks at the port.  Iran’s defense ministry dismissed on Sunday international media reports suggesting the blast may be linked to the mishandling of solid fuel used for missiles Dubai Newsroom; editing by Mark Heinrich and Bill Berkrot) Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update and updates delivered daily straight to your inbox 2025 (Bloomberg) –Iranian authorities on Sunday were still working to control fire and smoke unleashed by yesterday’s explosion at a key commercial port in the country’s.. April 27 (Reuters) – China’s top market regulator said on Sunday it was paying close attention to CK Hutchison’s 0001.HK planned sale of most of its ports operations to a BlackRock-led consortium and parties.. April 27 (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin has ordered several planes to be sent to Iran to help deal with the aftermath of a blast at Iran’s port of Bandar Abbas Subscribe to gCaptain Daily and stay informed with the latest global maritime and offshore news Stay informed with the latest maritime and offshore news For general inquiries and to contact us,please email: [email protected] To submit a story idea or contact our editors, please email: [email protected] For advertising opportunities contactEmail: [email protected]Phone: +1.805.704.2536 Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe TEHRAN – Iran and Kazakhstan signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to invest in and develop a dedicated terminal and logistics center at Shahid Rajaee Port the country’s largest commercial port on the Persian Gulf The agreement was signed in the presence of Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Iran senior officials from Kazakhstan’s Export Development Fund acting head of Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) along with members of the organization’s executive board Rasouli stated that Iran is prepared to review Kazakhstan’s business plan within a month of receiving it and will finalize a model contract following approval the Kazakh government is expected to submit its investment plan within three months “Iran serves as Kazakhstan’s gateway to open waters,” Rasouli said emphasizing Iran’s support for foreign investment as part of efforts to enhance trade and transit cooperation between the two countries He noted that with 1,800 kilometers of coastline and access to international waters Iran has substantial potential for logistics and transit development with neighboring nations He also reassured stakeholders that despite a recent fire incident at Shahid Rajaee Port in Hormozgan Province and containerized cargo are docked and being serviced without disruption,” Rasouli said assuring shipping companies and traders of uninterrupted access to maritime and port services Hormozgan Governor Mohammad Ashouri echoed the government's commitment to expanding and equipping Iran’s commercial ports and said the Kazakh investment would directly enhance bilateral trade and economic relations between Tehran and Astana expressed condolences over the recent incident at the port and described the investment as a strategic opportunity for Kazakhstan He thanked Iranian authorities for their cooperation in facilitating the joint project and said the development of a logistics hub in Bandar Abbas would strengthen bilateral ties Kazakhstan’s Export Development Fund chairman Mohammad Kaldybayev called Shahid Rajaee Port a key gateway for Kazakh exports and imports and praised Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization for its support Iran signals readiness to export engineering services to Kazakhstan Iran’s Vice President and head of the Planning and Budget Organization Seyed Hamid Pourmohammadi met with Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Galymjan Koishibaev on the sidelines of the first ECO Sustainable Development Forum in Arkadag Pourmohammadi conveyed Iranian firms’ readiness to export technical and engineering services to Kazakhstan He proposed establishing a barter settlement system for goods and services and recommended that the Kazakh ambassador in Tehran be tasked with deepening bilateral relations “I propose that one Iranian and one Kazakh company be designated to open new avenues of cooperation between the two countries,” he said Koishibaev confirmed that strengthening ties with Iran is a priority of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy and said Kazakhstan is interested in importing dates He also stressed the need to enhance transport links and strengthen railway connectivity between the two countries Iran’s non-oil export to Kazakhstan increases 38.5% in a year The value of Iran’s non-oil export to Kazakhstan increased by 38.5 percent in the past Iranian calendar year 1403 (ended on March 20) Iran exported about 360,000 tons of non-oil goods worth $203 million to Kazakhstan in the previous year indicating also two percent growth in terms of weight Iran had exported 353,000 tons of non-oil commodities valued at $146 million to Kazakhstan in the Iranian year 1402 Iran-Kazakhstan non-oil trade stood at 470,000 tons wort $244 million in the previous Iranian year tobacco products and petrochemicals were the major non-oil goods exported from Iran to Kazakhstan in the past year The growth in export volume reflects the expansion of economic cooperation between the two countries and the increasing interest of the Kazakh market in Iranian products Iran and Kazakhstan reaffirmed their commitment to expanding economic and trade relations with both countries aiming to increase bilateral trade to $3.0 billion During a business forum in Tehran attended by Iranian Agriculture Minister Gholamreza Nouri Ghezeljeh and Kazakh Trade and Integration Minister Arman Shakkaliyev officials and private sector representatives discussed economic cooperation Nouri emphasized that while Iran and Kazakhstan have made continuous efforts to enhance political their collaboration still falls short of its full potential He highlighted the importance of bilateral trade in sectors such as agriculture noting that Iran’s strategic position in West Asia and Kazakhstan’s role in Central Asia create exceptional opportunities for businesses He also stressed the need for stronger trade infrastructure and supportive policies to facilitate sustainable economic growth Nouri pointed to the roadmap agreement signed between the two governments as a sign of their serious commitment to expanding ties He also underscored the importance of addressing banking and trade regulations resolving quarantine issues related to livestock and plant products and fostering mutual trust to support commercial exchanges described the growing trade between Iran and Kazakhstan as a reflection of Tehran’s broader regional engagement strategy He noted that bilateral trade reached $302 million in the first 11 months of 2024 marking an 8.1 percent increase compared to the previous year He also pointed to the formation of joint agricultural committees and research collaborations as key tools in strengthening economic ties Shakkaliyev also met with Iran’s Minister of Industry and Trade Mohammad Atabak in which Atabak also reiterated that that Tehran and Astana aim to increase their economic and trade exchanges to $3.0 billion in line with agreements reached by the leaders of both countries He emphasized that the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) trade agreement would facilitate interbank transactions between Iranian and Kazakh traders which was also attended by the Kazakh ambassador to Tehran and an accompanying economic and trade delegation Atabak noted that despite the long-standing economic and commercial ties between Iran and Kazakhstan the current trade volume does not reflect the full potential of their relationship Atabak highlighted that senior officials from both countries are committed to expanding trade in line with their industrial and economic capabilities stating that achieving a $3.0 billion trade volume is within reach He pointed out that banking obstacles remain a major challenge in bilateral trade The official emphasized Iran’s extensive mineral resources stating that Iran can supply all types of metallic and non-metallic minerals required by Astana He also noted that barter trade could be an option based on mutual needs He also highlighted Iran’s expertise in various fields including technical and engineering services and expressed interest in expanding knowledge exchange and cooperation in these sectors He stressed the importance of logistics and railway transport in boosting trade volume between the two countries Atabak welcomed the prospect of mutual food exports and underscored the need to meet agreed-upon standards He concluded by announcing the formation of a working group to operationalize areas of cooperation at the expert level assigning specialized deputy ministers from the Industry and Trade Ministry to oversee various aspects of Iran-Kazakhstan collaboration Iranian Chamber of Commerce Head Samad Hassanzadeh stressed that trade volume between the two countries does not reflect their full industrial and commercial potential He noted that Iran currently imports agricultural products and semi-assembled engines from Kazakhstan while Iran has strong export potential in food industries Hassanzadeh called for the swift implementation of previous trade agreements pointing out that many signed memorandums have not been effectively put into practice He also suggested expanding tourism and academic exchanges He emphasized that overcoming logistical and banking hurdles would be essential to reaching the $3 billion trade target head of the Iran-Kazakhstan Joint Chamber of Commerce identified financial transactions as the main barrier to trade expansion urging both governments to facilitate banking operations and ensure Iranian businesses can operate smoothly in Kazakhstan this explosion will damage the regime itself and could shorten its longevity the explosion degraded the Islamic Republic’s military Shahid Rajaee Port is a hub for Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps shipments to proxies like Hezbollah and Houthis the port is strategic and its proximity to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ naval bases makes it even more critical The blast may have destroyed military supplies Suspicion already has fallen on external actors an Israeli cyberattack targeted Shahid Rajaee Port’s computer systems and disrupted operations by clogging waterways and roads Businesspeople now will question the regime’s reliability and ability to create a stable economic sphere for its loyalists © 2025 Middle East Forum • E-mail: info@meforum.org • Tel: 1 (215) 546-5406 BURSASGXHomeCity & CountryBy This article first appeared in City & Country The view from Datuk Mohd Salem Kailany’s new office suite on Level 82 of the César Pelli-designed Petronas Twin Towers is quite spectacular From the large glass window of the world’s tallest twin towers Salem points to the site of the proposed Bandar Malaysia megaproject at a distance “We hope to be able to turn this project into the third icon of Malaysia after KLCC and Putrajaya,” says the soft-spoken group CEO of KLCC (Holdings) Sdn Bhd (KLCCH) who took the reins of the company on Nov 1 KLCCH owns 64.7% of shares in KLCCP Stapled Group (KL:KLCC) — the largest real estate investment trust and the only stapled security in the country — which comprises KLCC Property Holdings Bhd and KLCC Real Estate Investment Trust (KLCC REIT) In the stapled security’s portfolio are prime office retail and hotel assets including Petronas Twin Towers Menara ExxonMobil and Menara 3 Petronas under KLCC REIT; and Suria KLCC and a 33% stake  in Menara Maxis under KLCC Property Holdings with a total property value of RM16.2 billion have a combined gross floor area of 12 million sq ft and are within the company’s 100-acre Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) development the stapled group achieved a record RM1.7 billion in revenue — the highest since its listing in 2013 and a 5.7% year-on-year growth from RM1.6 billion with profit before tax (PBT) of RM1.2 billion The group recorded total assets of RM18.7 billion in the same period Apart from developing and managing real estate properties in KLCC and Putrajaya KLCCH — the property arm of Petronas — will also develop the 486-acre Sungai Besi tract earmarked for the Bandar Malaysia development Previously the site of the Royal Malaysian Air Force base the proposed development is estimated to take 50 years to complete Salem is also a member of the Royal Institute of Surveyors Malaysia especially in the context of a very dynamic property industry what’s more important is how I can bring value to this new entity attention to detail and perhaps taking some degree of risk Beyond that is really about the energy from the team because for this to be a successful journey the team needs to be excited about it as well And I hope their excitement will continue to be carried through in our journey in bringing to market new projects Bandar Malaysia — envisioned as an international business hub and a liveable inclusive city — is one of the key developments that Salem will oversee “This [project] will be the core [for the company] [KLCCH] have established its DNA from developing KLCC and Putrajaya These are all iconic projects and we will be looking to bring a similar value proposition to the Bandar Malaysia development.” Salem emphasises the importance of getting it right “This project is going to be one of the bigger undertakings that the company has done before in terms of land size This is a big opportunity for us so we need to do it right We are currently looking at making sure the development master plan and the initial phase will be something the market is looking for.” Details of the Bandar Malaysia development remain under wraps but Salem hopes to unveil them by the end of the year He added that there are no official plans for a name change “We are still developing [the plans] and exploring options We are looking at a self-sustaining development that provides job opportunities and a good living environment We will be able to share more by year end.” Salem’s experience in township development will surely come in handy but he believes in embracing the company’s past experiences so I would like to share some of these learnings with the team when we embark on the Bandar Malaysia development we will leverage the learnings the organisation has already acquired through past developments These learnings are built into the organisation and we will continue to improve on them for our next development.” specifically on Persiaran KLCC/Jalan Binjai and adjacent to the Persiaran KLCC MRT Station the company is constructing a six-storey retail and lifestyle offering Ombak KLCC will contribute 420,000 sq ft in net lettable area and 1.3 million sq ft in gross floor area expanding the retail space in the precinct the mall will have a rooftop park and 120 retail lots alongside a marketplace and a curated blend of lifestyle Despite Kuala Lumpur’s highly competitive retail market Ombak will have its own market segment because it is not a full-fledged offering like Suria KLCC and the new Petronas gallery will be a key element that will offer immersive experiences These are some of the new things we will be bringing to market,” he adds “Ombak is also connected to the Persiaran KLCC MRT Station which makes it a new transit-oriented development (TOD) While Suria KLCC is served by the LRT Kelana Jaya Line Ombak will be served by the MRT Putrajaya Line And the covered walkway linking Ombak to Suria KLCC is under construction We’re excited to bring Ombak to the market and we’re working towards an October opening.” As for the existing assets under the listed entity Salem will continue to drive asset enhancement initiatives which have proven to yield favourable results for the group “KLCCP Stapled Group has been a listed entity for more than 10 years and we represent a big chunk — slightly over 30% — of the REIT market [by total assets and market capitalisation] we have been able to deliver good dividends and steady returns to investors “We will continue to preserve the value of the assets to ensure they can generate the returns and command the right rental rates which will eventually be translated into returns to investors and shareholders,” he says Its hotel segment was the group’s star performer in 2024 where revenue rose 13.7% y-o-y to RM239.8 million and PBT quadrupled to RM12.2 million from RM3 million achieved its highest room revenue of RM15.8 million in July 2024 and highest average room rate exceeding RM1,000 The hotel also recorded the highest revenue per available room (RevPAR) of RM610 is one of the assets that is undergoing upgrading works to offer upgraded ballrooms The group recently added two pickleball courts and an upgraded tennis court at the hotel to enhance its suite of leisure amenities Suria KLCC and the retail podium of Menara 3 Petronas — with a total net lettable area of 1.1 million sq ft — contributed a steady 32.2% to the group’s total revenue last year with revenue rising 6.8% y-o-y to RM551.2 million from RM516.1 million and PBT rose by 9.2% y-o-y to RM429.1 million from RM392.9 million This was primarily driven by an improved occupancy rate of 99% the group assumed full control of Suria KLCC by acquiring the remaining 40% equity interest in Suria KLCC Sdn Bhd which owns and manages the Suria KLCC mall — allowing the group to “move faster” in terms of asset rejuvenation and rearranging the tenant mix or lettable space we will be putting in place things that we hope will give shareholders higher value.” the group introduced 28 new retail and dining brands at Suria KLCC including several first-to-market brands such as Fauré Le Page It also more recently added new-to-market tenants Sushiro and Benihana to the mix this year Existing tenants such as Marks & Spencer Calvin Klein and Two Sons Bistro now feature expanded and revamped outlets “We will continue to refresh our retail offerings and bring in first-to-market brands because it is our role to listen to the customers and what they want and then blend that with the group’s positioning,” says Salem Although the office segment was challenging last year the group was supported by its triple net lease arrangements with Petronas for Petronas Twin Towers as well as its long-term lease in Menara ExxonMobil The office segment remained the group’s top revenue contributor last year Menara ExxonMobil saw its revenue increase 1.3% last year which includes facilities and car park management generated a total revenue of RM336.5 million last year marking an 8.7% increase from 2023 and contributing to 19.7% of the group’s total revenue While the property landscape may be filled with challenges Salem is unfazed because he believes the group’s unique asset portfolio will be able to weather any storm our triple net lease arrangements with Petronas give us security of revenue Our mall has continued to attract footfalls and its tenants were able to generate enough revenue and [meet the rental obligations] We have very good ‘top of class’ ingredients to be successful It is a destination with the iconic twin towers that bring in the tourist market all these key ingredients bring in traffic so that businesses can prosper,” he says adding that upcoming events such as the Asean Summit 2025 and Visit Malaysia Year 2026 will also be a boon to KLCC the group has gone through many challenges and gets smarter over the years Salem has his sights set on making Putrajaya a destination via master developer Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd (PJH) in which KLCCH is the majority shareholder with a 64.41% stake “Putrajaya is one of the best addresses in Malaysia because of the environment — it has very big lakes and parks We feel Putrajaya has the opportunity to offer value-for-money offerings as well as for us to ‘premiumise’ some of the offerings.” we see potential for Putrajaya to lead the market segment in terms of product offering and I would like to see the team turn Putrajaya into the preferred residential address for that region,” he added The latest offering in Putrajaya is Terra — a RM900 million lakefront mixed-use development in Precinct 8 comprising two blocks of residential towers (Terra Residences) a hospitality component (15-storey Fraser Residence Putrajaya) retail (Plaza Terra) and an event hall (Terra Acara) on 11.5 acres of freehold land Terra Residences comprises 348 condominium units in total — Block B with 182 units and Block C with 166 units — with built-ups of 700 sq ft (studio) Block C was opened for sale in February and 82% of the 116 open market units (not including the 50 government special scheme units) has been sold “We received very good response for Block C; more than 50% of the units were booked over the weekend launch,” says Salem “We also only opened the units for sale when the project was close to completion; so buyers can start moving in within this year itself.” Block B is targeted to be launched in 3Q2025 Block C and Block B of Terra Residences will be completed this year in June and December respectively while the other components (Fraser Residence Putrajaya Plaza Terra and Terra Acara) will be ready by 1Q2026 Fraser Residence Putrajaya will be operated by Singapore-based operator Frasers Hospitality and offer four-star serviced residences with meeting facilities the developer is planning to launch a TOD project in Precinct 7 comprising a retail podium and Park & Ride facilities in 4Q2025; and it is working with the government to offer affordable housing schemes in Putrajaya “We are also looking to bring in elements that support the community such as schools and neighbourhood shops we also have plans to progressively offer commercial developments.” Of the entire 12,184-acre Putrajaya master plan there is already a marked improvement from pre-pandemic numbers “What we need is to be mindful of the changing trends in terms of what property buyers want a proper work space at home is one of the sought-after things after Covid it’s really about understanding behavioural changes and translating that into the product,” he says it was common to have enclosed or private work spaces then we can see a shift to open-plan layouts and new work styles It is important to be mindful of these changing trends to be able to cater for current needs.” Salem believes the property market will continue to grow with “the right offerings” as property is a basic need and people will still need to buy or rent there are certain things that you can assign value to and there are certain things that you cannot And my role is to harness the science and the art something valuable and yet value-for-money.” Salem completed his first 100 days as group CEO recently and certainly has his work cut out for him All rights reserved for Volant Media UK LimitedLocal media quoted the residents as saying the blast shook the ground and was heard in nearby towns Hormozgan province’s crisis management chief said the blast was caused by "the explosion of several stored containers in the port yard" and that "injured individuals are currently being evacuated from the site." the explosion occurred at an administrative building inside the port Tasnim later reported that a fuel tank had exploded for unknown reasons prompting the deployment of rapid response teams and the suspension of all port operations The National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC) said in a statement that "the explosion had no connection with the refineries or oil pipelines related to this company in the area," and that "operations at facilities in Bandar Abbas are continuing without interruption." It added that firefighting and emergency teams from nearby oil companies were on standby to assist port authorities There are conflicting accounts about the cause of the explosion and no official confirmation has been issued There were no immediate reports of casualties but Tasnim said the blast caused extensive damage Consul General Xu Wei attended the Nowruz Reception hosted by the Bandar Abbas Municipal Government upon invitation Chairman of the Islamic City Council of Bandar Abbas Issa Abbasi Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran in Hormozgan Province Reza Arbab Sadeghi and representatives from Indian and Kazakhstani consular agencies in Bandar Abbas were present Consul General Xu thanked the Iranian side for its support to the Chinese Consulate General China attaches great importance to cooperation with Iran and stands ready to deepen subnational friendly exchanges to elevate the bilateral relationship to new heights As the China Year of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization the year 2025 will see China effectively fulfill the role as the rotating chair and work with all member states to forge a closer SCO community Consul General Xu also introduced Chinese government’s position on opposing U.S Fires caused by the huge explosion in the commercial port of Bandar Abbas in Iran on the morning of April 26 were still spreading two days later Heat and fire detected by the NASA FIRMS system on the morning of April 29 still showed no signs of any retreat with the area affected now having spread from the container park to the quays of the port itself Social media videos of the scene on April 28 make it clear that the firefighting services have been overwhelmed even though reinforcements have been brought in from as far away as Tehran; two days after the initial explosion some areas of the fire were not being tackled at all and in other areas confused port workers who should have been evacuated were still wandering around or sheltering in empty containers in what was clearly still a dangerous area Des avions de secours russes ont aidé à combattre l'incendie du port de Shahid Rajaï après l'explosion de Bandar Abbas pic.twitter.com/jOvjkYa7P2 Russian firefighting aircraft drop water on still-burning areas of the port (Iranian social media) #FreeIran2025 : Bandar Abbas — #Iran pic.twitter.com/K5zNKnc6aR Officials examine the wreckage from the blast (Iranian social media) A spokesman for Iran’s crisis management organization said it could take 20 days to fully extinguish the fire The latest casualty count puts the number of fatalities at over 70 and a large number of the injured are suffering from the effects of the massive blast pressure wave Reformists have been forthright in casting the incident as sabotage but have also highlighted the expenditure of Iranian resources put into the nation’s missile program at the cost of investment in the civil economy the reformist arguments appear to be winning the day It is noticeable that while the reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian has visited the injured in hospital no senior clerical leader has yet visited the scene This may be for fear of being associated with the consequences of the Supreme Leadership’s confrontational program of regional expansionism; this policy push has not only attracted sanctions but also drawn resources away from productive areas of the economy Although the port authorities have claimed that there has been some return to operations the extent of the damage both to the port itself - and to the supporting infrastructure such as railways and customs clearance areas – means that throughput will be severely reduced for months Bandar Abbas handles about 80% of Iran’s imports and exports the much smaller container terminal in Bushehr will have to absorb the diverted traffic This is at a time when Iran’s precarious economy is in dire straits The political fallout and economic consequences of the disaster will fuel an already-high level of popular discontent Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei - and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps which exists to keep the clerical leadership in power - are acutely aware of the depth of feeling An incident of this nature provides an escape valve for reformists providing a pretext for airing dissent that the authorities are normally able to suppress Israel still denies involvement in the explosion but the timing of the blast may align with Israeli foreign policy interests as it coincides with the latest round of US-Iranian nuclear negotiations in Muscat and Iranian threats of an Operation True Promise 3 Israel may have much greater existential concerns over its vulnerability to the missile threat than is appreciated by the United States negotiators have a different set of incentives and may be tempted to compromise on Iran’s missile program so as to secure a rapid political win it would be a message to the United States - as well as to Tehran - that the neutralization of the Iranian missile threat is a requirement for Israeli foreign policy It would also send a message as to what Israel might further be prepared to do 4 Bandar Besar Judi "Online" di Dalam Negeri Sudah Terdeteksi JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Pemerintah menyatakan sudah mengantongi 4 bandar besar judi online (daring) yang beroperasi di Indonesia Menurut Menteri Komunikasi dan Informatika (Kominfo) Budi Arie Setiadi, yang juga menjabat sebagai Ketua Harian Bidang Pencegahan Satgas Pemberantasan Judi Online keempat bandar itu yang mengendalikan bisnis judi daring di dalam negeri bahwa ini ada 4 orang pemain gedenya di Indonesia," kata Budi Arie dalam program Ni Luh di Kompas TV Budi enggan memaparkan identitas para bandar judi daring di dalam negeri itu Baca juga: Menko Polhukam Sebut 164 Wartawan Main Judi Online, Transaksi Capai Rp 1,4 Miliar pemerintah sudah mengetahui modus digunakan oleh para bandar itu dalam melakukan bisnisnya termasuk pola transaksi judi daring dengan melibatkan pemain-pemain besar Biar kalian saja yang nyebutin," ujar Budi nilai transaksi dalam jaringan judi daring dilakukan 4 bandar besar itu dianggap sudah sampai pada tahap sangat merugikan masyarakat Ini kan sudah sampai di tahap yang sangat merugikan rakyat kecil," ucap Budi Baca juga: Budi Arie Akui Sejumlah Pegawai Kemenkominfo Jadi Pemain Judi Online beberapa dari bandar besar itu juga beroperasi dari luar negeri '#' : location.hash;window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUQuery = location.search === '' && location.href.slice(0 location.href.length - window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUHash.length).indexOf('?') !== -1 '?' : location.search;if (window.history && window.history.replaceState) {var ogU = location.pathname + window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUQuery + window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUHash;history.replaceState(null "\/liveblog_entry\/death-toll-from-blast-at-irans-bandar-abbas-port-rises-to-40-as-fires-still-blaze\/?__cf_chl_rt_tk=m4HRVuSDW0jPOg0Iy6Y63yputmWKJHMmk1FMvX4oeLk-1746509651-1.0.1.1-lZFiUasbG7kzV2WoPlGDpaOyO3zRUz7vJ3.BIm5iz0w" + window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUHash);cpo.onload = function() {history.replaceState(null ogU);}}document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(cpo);}()); 4 Bandar Judi "Online" Terdeteksi Kapolri: Saya Sudah Perintahkan Usut Tuntas JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Kapolri Jenderal Listyo Sigit Prabowo mengungkapkan pihaknya sudah meminta jajaran Korps Bhayangkara mengusut tuntas soal informasi terdeteksinya empat bandar besar judi online (daring) Kapolri menekankan penuntasan persoalan judi online juga sudah menjadi atensi dari Presiden Joko Widodo (Jokowi) "Yang jelas terkait dengan masalah judi online saya sudah perintahkan dan juga sudah menjadi perintah Bapak Presiden untuk diusut tuntas," kata Sigit saat ditanya soal empat bandar judi online di Lapangan Bhayangkara Mabes Polri Baca juga: Kakak Beradik di Bogor Gunakan Akun Palsu untuk Rekrut Selebgram Promosi Judi Online seluruh jajaran yang tergabung Satuan Tugas (Satgas) Pemberantasan Judi Daring baik dari kementerian/lembaga terkait akan menelusuri setiap hal untuk memberantas judi online "Tentunya kita akan terus melakukan penelusuran sampai dengan titik puncak informasi soal empat bandar besar judi online telah terdeteksi itu disampaikan Menteri Komunikasi dan Informatika (Kominfo) Budi Arie Setiadi Budi mengatakan keempat bandar itu beroperasi di Indonesia Baca juga: Kakak Beradik di Bogor Rekrut 70 Selebgram untuk Promosikan 16 Situs Judi Online Sejak 2022 Iranian lawmaker accuses Israel of 'orchestrating' blast The death toll from the explosion at the port of Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan province on Iran's southern coast has risen to 65 spokesman for Iran's National Disaster Management Organization said that operations to put out the fire have been completed Zafari added that of the more than 1.200 injured while the others are still under observation in hospital The spokesman concluded by specifying that it will take at least 20 days to complete the debris removal operations and for the forensic examinations will be “completely extinguished within the next few hours and the operation will soon be declared concluded.” According to firefighters the variety of cargo inside the containers and the lack of knowledge of the type of goods each of which reacted differently to the fire went to Bandar Abbas to assess the consequences of the explosion and supervise the management of the incident on site The Pezeshkian administration “is committed to addressing the problems” caused by the explosion the president himself told reporters upon arriving at the site of the accident which also left an unspecified number of people missing The explosion caused extensive material damage in the surrounding areas hitting several factories in the western part of Bandar Abbas according to the state-run IRNA news agency local authorities declared three days of public mourning Overlooking the Persian Gulf and close to the Strait of Hormuz the port of Shahid Rajaee is Iran’s largest container hub handling nearly 80 percent of the Islamic Republic’s operations reported that “according to the investigations and available documents there were and are no imported or exported cargoes of fuel or military-use fuel in the area of ​​the Shahid Rajaee port incident” spokesman for the Crisis Management Organization told the Ilna agency that “the cause of the explosion were chemicals inside containers” located in the port area the transit of goods in and out of the port resumed yesterday the Russian Embassy in Tehran said that Moscow will send several planes from the Ministry of Emergencies to Iran to help put out the fire that broke out in the Shahid Rajaee port in response to the request of the Iranian authorities authorized the urgent dispatch of specialized aircraft with experienced personnel Putin expressed his condolences to Iran's Supreme Leader and to President Pezeshkian for the victims and damage caused by the explosion The Kremlin reported this by publishing the telegram sent to the Iranian leaders An Iranian lawmaker has accused Israel of “orchestrating” the explosion said that “the explosives were pre-planted in containers” located in the port area and “detonated remotely perhaps by satellite or with a timer.” “This event was not accidental,” according to Seraj No independent evidence was presented to support the MP’s comments anonymous Israeli officials told Channel 12 that Israel was “not involved” in the incident Read also other news on Nova News Click here and receive updates on WhatsApp Follow us on the social channels of Nova News on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Telegram The death toll from a massive blast at Iran's largest commercial port has risen to 25 Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the explosion amid reports that the blast was caused by chemical materials in a container at the port Containers burn after a massive explosion and fire rocked a port near the southern port city of Bandar Abbas The death toll from a massive explosion at Iran's largest commercial port has risen to 28 Red Crescent chief Pirhossein Koolivand said Sunday updating earlier figures reported by state media 28 people have so far died," Koolivand said in a video published on the Iranian government's official website adding that some of the more than 1,000 injured in the Shahid Rajaee Port blast on Saturday had been transferred to the capital Iran's Defense Ministry said Sunday there was no military cargo at the site of the explosion "There has been no imported or exported cargo for military fuel or military use in the area of the fire incident and Shahid Rajaee Port," Reza Talaei-Nik Smoke rises at the scene of an explosion that took place a day earlier at the Shahid Rajaee port dock southwest of Bandar Abbas in the Iranian province of Hormozgan At least 25 people were killed and 800 others injured in a huge explosion at a port on Saturday in Iran's southern province of Hormozgan The exact cause of the incident has not been determined yet The explosion occurred at the Port of Shahid Rajaee in the provincial capital Bandar Abbas after which rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the scene the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported In remarks to the semi-official Fars news agency on Sunday spokesperson of the Tehran Fire Department said the massive fire resulting from the blast had been almost contained although there were still scattered flames announced on Saturday that all educational centers across the city would be closed on Sunday due to the explosion and consequent air pollution spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Organization told Fars that chemical materials in a container at the port may have caused the blast warned against any "hasty speculations" about the cause of the incident before relevant authorities complete the investigations What had been confirmed so far was that there were containers Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian extended sympathy to the victims of the explosion announcing that he had issued a directive for the investigation of the blast and its cause He added that Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni had been dispatched to the province to ensure necessary coordination and address the condition of the injured as well as international organizations and groups extended condolences to the Iranian people and government Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday expressed deep sorrow and grief over the losses caused by the explosion "We stand with the Iranian government and people in this hour of grief and sorrow," Sharif said while praying for the swift recovery of those injured in the incident likely caused by the explosion of chemical materials killed at least 14 people and injured more than 700 on Saturday at Iran's largest port According to China's Consulate General in Bandar Abbas three Chinese citizens sustained minor injuries in the explosion They are now in good condition after receiving medical treatment governor of the provincial capital Bandar Abbas announced that all educational centers across the city would be closed on Sunday due to the explosion and resulting air pollution told the semi-official Fars News Agency that chemical materials in a container at the port caused the blast Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani warned against any "hasty speculations" about the cause of the incident before relevant authorities complete their investigations She added that what had been confirmed so far was that there were containers Rapid reaction and rescue teams have been dispatched to the scene and all port activities have been suspended the semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported adding that the number of injured is likely to increase announcing that he had issued a directive for an investigation into the blast and its cause had been dispatched to the province to ensure necessary coordination and to address the condition of the injured the Iraqi Foreign Ministry extended condolences to the government and people of Iran expressing deep sympathy to the families of the victims and wishing a speedy recovery of the injured Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani directed Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari to coordinate with his Iranian counterpart to assess the incident and provide immediate assistance according to a brief statement from al-Sudani's media office At least five people were killed and more than 700 others injured in a huge explosion that occurred on Saturday at a port in Iran's southern province of Hormozgan the semi-official Fars news agency reported The casualties were announced by Mehrdad Hassanzadeh director general of the provincial crisis management organization He added that those wounded in the incident were hospitalized in different medical centers across the southern port city of Bandar Abbas in the province the official news agency IRNA said the blast occurred at a gas tank at the Port of Shahid Rajaee causing extensive damage to nearby buildings and cars spokesman for the National Disaster Management Organization said the blast was caused by chemical materials in a container at the port announcing that he had issued a directive for the investigation of the blast as well as the cause of the incident He added that Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni had been dispatched to the province to ensure the necessary coordination and address the condition of the injured At least four people were killed and more than 500 injured in a massive explosion that has rocked Shahid Rajaee Port in the city of Bandar Abbas in southern Iran's Hormozgan province on Saturday Eyewitnesses say the blast shattered windows within a radius of several kilometers with footage shared online showing a mushroom cloud following the explosion A local disaster management official told Iranian state media that the blast came from containers at the Shahid Rajaee Port but the cause of the explosion is not yet known The official said first responders are evacuating the area and transferring the injured to medical centers A large explosion rocked Shahid Rajaee Port in Iran's southern city of Bandar Abbas on April 26, according to Tasnim News Agency Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466 Numerous casualties and extensive damage in the vital strategic port of Shahid Rajaee The explosion has so far resulted in the deaths of at least eight people and injured at least 750 according to the Iranian Interior Minister local sources reported by Iran International suggest a potentially higher death toll The shockwave was so powerful that it shattered windows kilometers away and was even felt on the island of Qeshm Port infrastructure and surrounding buildings have suffered significant damage leading to a complete halt in port activities Iranian authorities speculate that the cause of the explosion may have been a warehouse storing hazardous goods and chemicals within the port area Security firm Ambrey revealed that the port had received a shipment from China in March containing “sodium perchlorate for missile propellant,” suggesting that the fire could have originated from the improper handling of this fuel intended for Iranian ballistic missiles Some experts have observed that the white smoke and mushroom cloud shape of the explosion would be consistent with the combustion of aluminum compounds the Iranian Ministry of Health has declared a state of health emergency in Bandar Abbas warning of the possible dispersal of dangerous pollutants such as ammonia and the need to closely monitor air and water quality in the area It has also ordered the closure of the city’s schools on Sunday The port of Shahid Rajaee is not just a maritime terminal; it is the backbone of Iranian maritime trade a crucial transit point for global oil shipments this port handles a significant share of Iran’s non-oil imports and exports Its operation is essential for the supply of consumer goods A prolonged disruption of its activities could have significant repercussions on the Iranian economy potentially leading to shortages of goods and price increases Its strategic importance also makes it a sensitive point from a regional security perspective The hypothesis that the explosion was caused by a depot of hazardous goods raises serious concerns regarding safety regulations and storage protocols in the port The presence of unstable or reactive chemical materials requires stringent safety measures to prevent accidents Ambrey’s specific indication of “sodium perchlorate for missile propellant” adds a further layer of complexity and its improper handling or exposure to heat sources or contaminants can lead to violent deflagrations and the dispersal of hazardous chemicals into the air and soil poses a serious risk to public health and the surrounding environment The explosion occurred in a complex regional context The Strait of Hormuz has been the scene of previous maritime incidents and geopolitical tensions Although there is no evidence of external involvement at this time events of this magnitude often fuel speculation about possible causes and responsibilities The reference to the 2020 cyberattack attributed to Israel on the same port has also led to the consideration of sabotage scenarios although initial indications seem to point towards an accident related to the handling of materials Israeli Channel 12 has reported a denial of Israeli involvement in the explosion Ongoing talks in Oman between Iranian and US officials regarding the Iranian nuclear program add a further element of complexity to the picture such a significant event could potentially influence the diplomatic climate and negotiation dynamics the explosion in Bandar Abbas is a serious event with implications that go beyond the immediate toll of casualties and material damage and humanitarian aspects that will require careful analysis and continuous monitoring of future developments Consenso Privacy [Updated] A huge explosion in the commercial port of Bandar Abbas in Iran at 12.00 on the morning of April 26 has injured at least 1,000 according to Iranian state media.  First reports suggested that four people have been killed a toll which had risen to 40 overnight.  Office buildings in the port have been damaged and glass blown out of windows although the immediate neighborhood is a commercial rather than a residential area.  Explosions were still occurring in the area several hours after the initial explosion Footage shows the moment an explosion occurred in Shahid Rajaee Port, Bandar Abbas. pic.twitter.com/Sjl1X9LJqP The explosion is believed to have started in a container stored in the hazardous and flammable section of the container park.  An extensive container storage park lies immediately to the north of the port’s container loading quays New footage has been released, showing the moment that yesterday’s chemical fire started at the port of Bandar Abbas on the coast of the Persian Gulf, which resulted in a massive explosion causing severe damage to the port and the deaths of at least 28 workers in Southern Iran. pic.twitter.com/ym9MSTi5mV Russia's emergency ministry said Sunday that it would be dispatching two aircraft to help Iranian officials address the fire including a Beriev Be-200 amphibious firefighting plane and an Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft.  The Shahid Rajaei commercial port handles about 85% of Iran’s non-oil and gas exports and imports and is connected to Iran’s transnational rail network.  The Iranian authorities have for some years been planning an expansion of the port to increase throughput.  The commercial port lies 10 miles to the west of the Bandar Abbas Naval Harbor which is the homeport to most of Iran’s regular Navy In February and March the Maritime Executive tracked the progress from China of two sanctioned ships owned by Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) which then unloaded their cargoes of sodium perchlorate at Bandar Abbas.  Sodium perchlorate is processed into ammonium perchlorate rocket fuel at the Iranian facilities at Parchin south of Tehran and Khojir.  Ammonium perchlorate makes up 70% of the standard fuel load of most of Iran’s solid-fueled ballistic missiles such as medium range Khybar-Shikan and Fattah missiles and the shorter range Fateh-110 and Zolfaghar missiles.  It is not known if containers unloaded from the two ships were still in the Sina container port at the time of the explosion or whether the containers formed the seat of the explosion.  an Israeli spokesman denied any knowledge of the explosion although the Times of Israel was the first media organization to point out a possible connection.  Washington Institute missile expert Farzin Nadimi has said that he believes the yellow character of the explosive fireball is indicative of the presence of sodium.  Within Iran newspapers are split on the cause of the explosion conservatives blaming safety failures and reformists blaming sabotage implicity accepting the target was the sodium perchlorate The fire/heat source detected by the NASA fire-detecting system FIRMS grew in size throughout April 26 inicating that the fire continued to burn into nightfall;  other heat spots initially detected were from oil refineries and the Hormozgan steel works (FIRMS/CJRC).  The NASA FIRMS system which monitors fires and heat sources initially detected only a small fire which grew as the day wore on.  On the afternoon of April 27 the fire was still spreading.  Other regular heat spots to the north of the fire namely oil refineries and the Hormozgan steel works suggesting that these industrial facilities have been closed down possibly because workers have been evacuated.  At least 10,000 containers hve been destroyed and there is likely to be long-term damage to the port with operations likely to be disrupted for some time Official suggests blast in southern port of Shahid Rajaee in Bandar Abbas due to explosion of chemicals in containers An immense blast in Iran’s southern port of Shahid Rajaee has killed at least 18 people and injured more than 700 with an official suggesting the fire was caused by the explosion of chemical containers A spokesperson for Iran’s crisis management body pointed to poor storage conditions of chemicals as the trigger for the port explosion “The cause of the explosions was the chemicals inside the containers,” Hossein Zafari He added that the port administration had previously been warned about the danger these chemicals posed The Iranian government has not yet specified the exact cause of the explosion though it suspected combustible chemicals to be behind the blast The provincial attorney general had ordered a “thorough and urgent” investigation into the circumstances of the explosion which local officials said began in several containers in the port Shahid Rajaee is a large Iranian container facility that handles 80m tons of goods a year including fuel and other combustible materials State media had previously quoted Iranian security officials as saying “any speculation about the cause of the explosion is worthless” Videos showed a huge billowing mushroom cloud and the force of the blast destroyed a nearby building and shattered windows Injured people lay on the roadside as authorities declared a state of emergency at hospitals across Bandar Abbas to cope with the influx of wounded Aerial and naval firefighting teams worked to extinguish the blast and state media reported officials expected the firefighting operation to be completed within an hour Local media reported people trapped under the wreckage of a collapsed building People walk to safety after an explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas Photograph: Mohammad Rasoul Moradi/ReutersIn the aftermath of the explosion port activities were suspended and Iranian customs officials halted export and transit shipments to the port The state-owned National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company said that oil refineries tankers and pipelines in the area continued to operate and were unaffected by the blast In 2020, the Shahid Rajaee container facility was hit with a complex cyber-attack that jammed port logistics, which the Washington Post reported as being perpetrated by Israel in retaliation for an Iranian cyber-attack The cyber-attack was one of a series of incidents that has affected Iranian critical infrastructure in recent years The government has blamed some of the incidents such as a 2024 coalmine blast in southern Iran which killed 31 people Tehran has accused Israel of being behind other incidents such as an attack on Iranian gas pipelines last year The Israeli government made no comment on Saturday’s explosions in Iran This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them 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Children flying solo: How to prepare minors for an unaccompanied flight All rights reserved for Volant Media UK Limited18 hours agoIranian official estimates blast damage at $5 billionThe explosion at Rajaei port could have caused between three and five billion dollars in damages a deputy communications minister said on Monday citing the incident as an example of weak data infrastructure and a lack of information transparency in the country the deputy minister of information and communications technology questioned why the port had a backlog of 130,000 containers without clear information on their contents "Why should 130,000 containers be stockpiled in this port but the contents of none of them be clear?" Sadr was quoted as saying A fire broke out again on Monday at Iran's Rajaei port the country's main shipping hub that was the site of the deadly explosion on April 26 Videos indicated that the blaze was caused by a reach stacker a vehicle used for handling containers within the port Two people have been arrested in connection with the recent explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port Iran’s judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei said on Monday “The necessary measures to manage the situation at Shahid Rajaei Port were carried out as swiftly as possible with the help of rescue workers He also directed judicial officials to act decisively and promptly to identify and prosecute anyone found responsible for negligence or wrongdoing related to the incident The final death toll from the April 26 explosion at Iran's Rajaei port has been revised to 57 the head of Hormozgan's judiciary announced Mojtaba Ghahremani said the previously reported figure of 70 fatalities was based on initial estimates including family inquiries and forensic tests revealed that some body parts collected from different parts of the blast site and stored in separate bags actually belonged to the same individuals This led to the adjustment in the casualty count the confirmed total includes 46 identified bodies and 11 individuals still missing Multiple videos circulating on social media appear to show explosions and fires Sunday in the Iranian cities of Mashhad and Qom Footage from Mashhad indicates a blast at what some reports describe as a factory site No official confirmation has been issued by Iranian authorities The cause of the apparent incidents is also not yet known Iran International has not independently verified the videos Eighteen more victims of the Rajaei port explosion have been identified using DNA from relatives He said 29 families came forward after the Legal Medicine Organization issued a call for DNA samples Samples from 11 families did not match any of the unidentified remains Authorities had previously identified 36 bodies through other scientific methods The confirmed identities now stands at 54 out of 70 reported dead 12:55 GMT+1Toxic air persists in Bandar Abbas after explosionsAir pollution in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas has increased following recent explosions said Hormozgan Medical Sciences University head Pejman Shahrokhi Preliminary assessments detected toxic gases and particles Shahrokhi said the Health Ministry had investigated the issue and concluded the pollution did not exceed critical danger levels officials have urged vulnerable residents—particularly the elderly and those with underlying conditions—to remain indoors when possible and to wear masks outdoors “The contamination is ongoing,” Shahrokhi said adding that monitoring efforts continue in coordination with health and emergency services 11:46 GMT+1Hazardous goods must not linger in Iranian ports shipping official warnsHazardous materials must be swiftly removed from Iranian ports and not left to accumulate a senior shipping official said following the fatal explosion at Rajaei port “Dangerous goods should be transported out immediately,” said Yahya Ziaei Mehrjerdi secretary-general of Iran’s Shipowners Association on Sunday He rejected efforts to place blame solely on the Ports and Maritime Organization noting that “the explosion took place at the port but responsibility lies across multiple agencies.” Ziaei Mehrjerdi cited low storage fees financial bottlenecks and documentation problems as reasons cargoes often remain uncleared 11:02 GMT+1Human error blamed for deadly port blastA senior Iranian industry official has blamed “systemic human error” and poor logistics for the recent fire at Rajaei port The blaze stemmed from “insufficient customs infrastructure poor storage practices and excessive container buildup,” said Arman Khaleqi secretary-general of Iran’s Chamber of Industry He urged the creation of a fact-finding committee to issue a comprehensive report “Many ships are idling at sea because our ports lack adequate loading capacity,” Khaleqi said adding that shifting tariffs and currency rates have also deterred cargo clearance The temperature at the site of the Rajaei port explosion reached 1,400 degrees Celsius making water immediately evaporate and ineffective in extinguishing the container fires the head of Tehran's fire department said on Sunday Ghodratollah Mohammadi told ISNA that the fires in the incident occurred within closed containers holding various materials Mohammadi said that firefighters had to open the containers to control the blaze adding that using water on a container filled with bitumen following a massive explosion of an oil tank at the Bandar Rajai customs in Bandar Abbas two citizens from Babagir village in Ivan county in Ilam province has left more than a dozen dead and hundreds injured Ayub Hawasi and Jabbar Darvishi were among the workers who were working in the port area and died instantly due to the intensity of the explosion Local sources have confirmed the news of the deaths of these two citizens Officials have not yet released a complete list of those killed and the identities of many of the victims have not been officially announced Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts The explosion at the Bandar Abbas port happened during U.S.-Iran nuclear talks As some Iranian newspapers question the timing of a massive explosion at Bandar Abbas port an official has reported a large-scale cyberattack against key government centers amid ongoing nuclear talks with the United States chief executive officer of Iran’s Telecommunications Infrastructure Company announced that a “large-scale cyberattack” targeting the country’s infrastructure took place on April 27 He described the attacks as “widespread and sophisticated” Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) operations adding that they had implemented preventive measures Akbari did not attribute the attacks to any specific source just one day after another round of U.S.-Iran negotiations Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Iran’s uranium enrichment infrastructure must be dismantled “The real deal that works is a deal which removes Iran’s capacity to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons,” Netanyahu said One day after another round of U.S.-Iran negotiations President Donald Trump expressed optimism about the negotiations as the two sides announced last week that they are now focused on technical aspects of Iran’s nuclear program We’ll have something without having to start dropping bombs all over the place,” Trump told reporters Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi quickly responded to Netanyahu Araghchi dismissed Netanyahu’s comments and bizarrely linked him to the “failed Biden Team.” For seven years the Iranian regime had labeled Trump a “gambler,” a “warmonger,” and a “tool of Zionists,” but now Netanyahu is being portrayed as part of Trump’s Democratic rivals the explosion at the port—whether due to sabotage or an accident—was a blow to the Iranian regime highly volatile chemical stockpiles at a civilian port alongside apparent mishandling and a lack of safety protocols falls squarely under the responsibility of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s office and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Iranian customs officials revealed that the chemical shipment—possibly intended for missile fuel production—entered the port without inspections, a lapse that could have occurred only with the involvement or approval of the highest political and military authorities. 19 Feb 2025 12:30:00 GMT?.css-1txiau5-AnswerContainer{color:var(--GlobalColorScheme-Text-secondaryText2);}Naft Bandar Abbas won 7–1 over Shahrdari Astara on Wed Predicted lineups are available for the match a few days in advance while the actual lineup will be available about an hour ahead of the match The current head to head record for the teams are Naft Bandar Abbas 1 win(s) Have scored 1 goals in their last 5 matches Who won between Naft Bandar Abbas and Shahrdari Astara on Wed 19 Feb 2025 12:30:00 GMT?Naft Bandar Abbas won 7–1 over Shahrdari Astara on Wed 19 Feb 2025 12:30:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 4 goals in their last 5 matches Naft Bandar Abbas is playing home against Shahrdari Astara on Wed Log in to comment on videos and join in on the fun Watch the live stream of Fox News and full episodes Reduce eye strain and focus on the content that matters