WANA (Apr 28) – A member of the parliamentary delegation dispatched by the Speaker of Iran’s Parliament to Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas stated: Evidence from CCTV footage, reports from those injured near the site, and eyewitness accounts indicate significant incompetence and negligence in the loading process and other operations at Shahid Rajaee Port.

 

Seyed Morteza Mahmoudi, a member of the delegation, elaborated on the dimensions of the explosion at the port, saying: “The parliamentary team identified serious negligence and misconduct as the primary causes of the incident at Shahid Rajaee Port. A lack of proper structure and the absence of effective monitoring and control over incoming and outgoing goods were among the main reasons behind the disaster. Although such negligence and lack of oversight exist in other ports as well, it was particularly severe at Shahid Rajaee Port.”

 

He continued: “The likelihood of deliberate sabotage is very low. Evidence from surveillance footage and reports from injured individuals close to the scene demonstrate a high level of incompetence and negligence in the loading processes and other port operations. Violations in cargo handling, false declarations, and the failure to accurately report the contents of containers by relevant officials were clearly present at this port.”

 

The delegation member emphasized: “Security and law enforcement agencies are investigating thoroughly, and if there is even a one percent chance of sabotage, the perpetrators will be apprehended and held accountable. The Supreme Leader also referred to the need for serious action against those responsible in his message regarding the Shahid Rajaee Port incident. Therefore, even if government or official bodies are implicated, there should be no retreat. Strong action must be taken against those responsible because this incident was by no means minor, and some individuals are still missing. The material damages from the explosion are also significant. Efforts are ongoing to ensure the President’s orders to compensate for the human and material losses are implemented effectively, without being buried in bureaucratic procedures.”

 

According to customs authorities, the imported shipment that initially caught fire and exploded at Shahid Rajaee Port was not under the supervision of the Customs Administration and had no associated declaration number or formal customs documentation.

 

The Iranian Customs Administration stated that when a ship arrives at a port, its cargo manifest must first be submitted to port authorities, after which the cargo owner is required to officially declare the goods to customs to begin clearance procedures. However, the shipment that exploded on Saturday (April 26) had no declaration or registration with customs, meaning it was not in the custody of customs officials.

 

It should be noted that, according to Article 18 of the Customs Law, transportation companies are required to submit two copies of a summary declaration along with the general cargo manifest—and if necessary, detailed waybills for each cargo item—to both customs and the receiving authority upon arrival. If the vehicle is empty, a summary declaration explicitly stating so must be submitted. The declaration must be prepared in Persian, based on a template approved by customs and relevant authorities, without any corrections or alterations.

 

Furthermore, the transportation companies’ responsibility regarding the contents of sealed packages is limited to the information provided in the waybills. Containers loaded and sealed by the sender are considered intact packages under the law. These regulations do not apply to goods entering the customs territory from free trade and special economic zones.

 

It is worth mentioning that in the past two days, firefighting operations at Shahid Rajaee Port have concluded, and hotspot management is ongoing.

 

With the fire extinguished, all customs procedures at Shahid Rajaee Port have returned to normal. Trade activities have resumed, and all customs processes, including exports, imports, and transit operations, are fully operational.

 

Exports from other customs terminals to Shahid Rajaee Port have also resumed today, and shipments are now being received at the port.

 

The death toll from the fire at Shahid Rajaee Port has risen to 46.

 

Additionally, 1,072 injured individuals have been discharged after receiving medical treatment, while 138 remain hospitalized.