Israel denies involvement in explosion in Iran, flammable material suspected

(Patria) - The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have denied any involvement in an explosion at a port in southern Iran which injured, according to the latest report, 516 people.

This information was reported by the Jerusalem Post, citing the Israeli Maariv, which refers to sources within the military.

This powerful explosion, followed by a fire, occurred today amidst Iran-US nuclear negotiations. According to Iranian media, the explosion happened at Shahid Rajai port in the city of Bandar Abbas.

According to initial estimates, at least 516 people were injured in the explosion, but there is no data on fatalities yet. It is also stated that a part of the affected area in the port is used by the Navy of the Revolutionary Guard.

Meanwhile, the Iranians reported an earthquake that followed the explosion, and Iranian television announced that the explosion was caused by a fire in a warehouse containing flammable materials in the Bandar Abbas customs zone.

Reuters also writes that the explosion is suspected to have been caused by a chemical reaction of hazardous materials stored in the city port.

The Tasnim agency also reported that the explosion occurred due to the detonation of fuel tanks at the Rajai port, and the reason is not yet known. The National Iranian Oil Company announced that the explosion is not related to refineries or fuel tanks, and that all sectors in the port are functioning normally.

"The situation in Bandar Abbas port is chaotic, most of the facilities in the port have been damaged as a result of the explosion. It is obvious that there are many dead and injured. Security forces and rescuers are trying to bring the situation under control. Activities at Rajai port have been suspended until security and rescue services gain control of the situation," reported the Tasnim agency.

In 2020, a well-known cyber attack (attributed to Israel) was carried out at the port in the city of Bandar Abbas, which paralyzed the port's operations for several days, as part of a "cyber exchange of blows" between Iran and Israel at the time.

Meanwhile, the US and Iran today began the third round of nuclear negotiations in Oman, entering a technically more demanding and complex phase of negotiations.

CNN reported that the main dispute still remains the issue of uranium enrichment. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the US requires Iran to import nuclear fuel needed for its civilian energy program, instead of enriching uranium itself, while Iran insists that its right to enrich uranium is "non-negotiable".