Tragic Seaport Explosion Should Jolt Security Conscience

Date: 27 April 2025 - 21:51

News ID: ۱۳۸۹۳۳

By: Kayhan Int’l Staff Writer

Over a thousand workers injured and the fatality toll reaching fifty so far, because of the huge explosion that rocked Port Martyr Rajaei on the Persian Gulf, is certainly a serious matter that needs to be properly probed and preventive measures taken to avert such catastrophic incidents in the future.

Saturdays’ sudden blast in the container yard occurred when fuel tankers reportedly caught fire triggering a chain of explosions.

Relief and rescue operations are in full swing and the Iranian president on Sunday visited the site of the blast for personal assessment of the tragic situation regarding which messages of sympathies have been pouring in from all over the world.

According to reports, port authorities had been warned by the related security experts months ago of the unsatisfactory conditions where chemical containers are stored.

Wonder, why proper measures were not taken, and if taken, were these measures professional and in accordance with international standards?

Iran, like countries of the rest of the world, regularly handles combustible cargoes uploaded or offloaded at the seaports, where technical security and safety of the workers is of paramount importance.

While waiting for the probe to determine the exact cause of the huge blast and dismissing the mischievous propaganda of the enemy media, we are fully confident that the related Iranian officials will ensure the most advanced and highest form of security and safety measures at the seaports and other sensitive centres.

This would not only save precious human life and prevent millions of dollars of goods ending up in flames, but would also ensure Iran’s reputation as a vital transit link of the emerging International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), connecting the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea, Russia, and Northern Europe.

There is no indication of sabotage, and in case there is, the intelligence and security officials should take swift action against the criminals wherever they might be.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is the cynosure of all eyes throughout the world, whether by friends or foes, and thus cannot for a single moment ignore the security and importance of its nerve centres, including the Martyr Rajaei Port which currently covers 4,800 hectares, half of which is in the expansion phase.