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Death toll from Iran’s Shahid Rajaee port explosion rises to 40

Many others remain hospitalized with severe injuries, and authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as rescue and medical efforts persist.

In a gesture of national mourning and solidarity with the grieving families, Tehran’s iconic Milad Tower went dark on Sunday night from 9 to 10 PM local time.

Meanwhile, Iran’s President, Masoud Pezeshkian, personally visited the hospital where many of the injured are receiving treatment.

During his visit, President Pezeshkian, a heart specialist, engaged with the victims, offering medical advice, emotional support, and words of comfort to help boost the morale of the survivors.

The Iranian government and emergency services remain fully mobilized to provide aid to the affected families, and numerous public figures and institutions have joined in expressing their condolences and solidarity with the people of Hormozgan during this national tragedy.

The cause of the blast has yet to be determined.

Severe thunderstorm hits Tehran, 2 killed, 41 injured

Of the injured, some individuals were treated at the scene while the others were hospitalized.

Authorities have warned that the number of casualties may rise as assessments continue.

The sudden storm brought intense rainfall and rapidly changed weather conditions to the capital, uprooting trees and causing significant disruptions across the city. Dramatic footage circulating on social media captured the apocalyptic scenes of the storm’s arrival, with strong winds and torrential rain battering streets and neighborhoods.

Emergency response teams remain on high alert as they continue to address damage and potential injuries resulting from the severe weather.

 

Judiciary: Iran ready to execute perpetrator of Azerbaijani embassy attack

Azerbaijan Embassy Tehran

Asghar Jahangir confirmed that the trial, primary court ruling, and final approval of the qisas sentence by the Supreme Court have all been completed. “The Judiciary is fully prepared to carry out the execution,” he stated.

Jahangir explained that under Iranian law, for a qisas sentence to be executed, the victim’s blood owners—or their legal representatives—must formally request the enforcement of the sentence or be present at the appointed time for its execution. “So far, neither the blood owners nor their attorneys have approached us for this purpose. Therefore, despite the Judiciary’s full readiness and the completion of the legal process, the execution has not yet taken place,” he added.

This comes after Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev claimed the embassy attack was “a premeditated terrorist act” against Azerbaijan.

He criticized the slow progress and called on Iran’s new administration to ensure that not only the individual who carried out the attack but also those “who were behind him” face justice.

On 27 January 2023, an armed individual infiltrated the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Tehran, killing the head of the embassy’s security team, and injuring three other Azerbaijani nationals. The attacker cited personal and family problems as his motive.

Iranian canoeing champion dies in tragic port explosion

The accident, which occurred at the port’s dock, resulted in severe casualties, including the death of Nozarzadeh, who had earned recognition in national and provincial water sports competitions.

In a statement issued shortly after the incident, the Iranian Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs extended its condolences, honoring the memory of all those who lost their lives in the tragic explosion.

The latest death toll from the explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port stands at 28. Over 700 individuals were injured, of whom approximately 400 have been discharged from hospitals. Around 300 others remain hospitalized, and a number of those requiring further medical care are scheduled to be transferred to hospitals in Shiraz, Kerman, and Tehran.

Russia deploys emergency teams to Iran after major port explosion

The Russian Embassy in Tehran confirmed on Sunday that the deployment came at Iran’s official request.

Aircraft carrying teams from Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) are en route with fire containment experts, the embassy announced.

The Russian Embassy stated, “We wish success to both Russian responders and their Iranian counterparts in saving lives and protecting this vital economic hub.”

The specialists will assist local crews battling ongoing fires at the strategic Shahid Rajaee port, where the Saturday blast has so far killed 28 and injured about 750 people.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian traveled to Bandar Abbas on Sunday to personally oversee response efforts.

He had previously dispatched the interior minister and coordinated crisis measures through emergency meetings since the incident began.

Authorities continue investigating the explosion’s cause.

DeepMind UK staff seeking to challenge deals with Israel links: FT

About 300 London-based staff of Google DeepMind have been seeking to join the Communication Workers Union (CWU) in recent weeks, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.

Media reports that suggest Google is selling its cloud services and AI technology to the Israeli Ministry of Defence have caused disquiet among employees, according to the report.

Google has run into trouble previously regarding its connections to Israel when it dismissed 28 employees last year who protested against the tech giant’s cloud contract with the Israeli government.

Death toll in Iran port explosion rises to 25

Forensic teams have been on high alert since the incident to expedite identification.

The bodies of the victims have been transferred to the provincial forensic center.

Judicial authorities have authorized the release of identified remains to families. The identified victims include two women and eight men.

The incident, which occurred after a fuel tanker exploded for unknown reasons at the port in Hormozgan Province, also injured around 750 people.

Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni said on Sunday specialized teams are investigating the cause, and legal action will be taken against negligence.

UN expresses condolences over deadly port explosion in Iran

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary general, expressed deep sorrow over the high number of casualties in Saturday blast.

“We extend our sympathies to the victims’ families, the people, and the government of Iran and wish the injured a swift recovery,” he told IRNA news agency.

The incident occurred after a fuel tanker exploded for unknown reasons at the port in Hormozgan Province and has so far claimed tens of lives and injured some 750 people.

Health officials reported on Sunday 729 of the injured have been discharged, while 357 remain hospitalized – including 21 in ICU and five with severe burns.

Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni confirmed rescue efforts have concluded, though firefighting teams remain on alert.

“Specialized teams are investigating the cause, and legal action will be taken against negligence,” he stated. Despite challenging conditions, port operations have resumed normally.

The cause of the explosion remains unknown. Authorities urged citizens to avoid speculation and promised transparency as the investigation continues.

Hormozgan Province declared three days of public mourning.

Number of fatalities, injuries rise in Iran’s Shahid Rajaee Port explosions, fires

Eskandar Momeni added that the incident also left 750 people injured including 212 people who were treated on an outpatient basis.

Momeni suggested that the fires caused by the explosions are raging on in the port and voiced hope that firefighters will put them out in the coming hours.

According to the interior minister, winds are whipping up the fires, making it a bit difficult for the firefighters to contain them.

Meanwhile, videos and photos posted online show that the fires have spread to other parts of Shahid Rajaee Port, causing more containers to explode.

The cause of the initial explosions is under investigation.

Some people have claimed foul play is to blame for the incident. But government officials are warning against any speculation before authorities get to the bottom of the matter.

The Iranian interior minister flew to Bandar Abbas to oversee the probe into the blasts and the ensuing fires upon direct orders by President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Iran FM: Tehran only negotiates with US on nuclear issues, sanctions

Speaking on Saturday at the conclusion of the third round of indirect Iran-US talks in Muscat, Araqchi said the negotiations this time were more serious than before and that the discussions had gradually moved toward more substantive, technical, and detailed matters.

When asked about speculation over whether the agenda of these talks might change, Araqchi responded: “Absolutely not. I clearly state that our topic is solely the nuclear issue, and we will not negotiate any other matter. When we say ‘nuclear,’ we mean building confidence in Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.”

Referring to the differences between the two sides on both major and minor issues, he added that further reviews would take place in their respective capitals before the next meeting to explore ways to resolve these disagreements.

The head of Iran’s diplomatic apparatus continued: “It was quite evident that both sides were serious and engaged in the talks with determination, which in itself creates an atmosphere that gives us hope for progress. However, this optimism remains extremely cautious.”

He added that in the next meeting, an expert from the Atomic Energy Organization might join the discussions, as they had reached a stage where more technical nuclear discussions were necessary.

Regarding the willingness of both parties, Araqchi stated: “Both sides demonstrated their determination to make progress. But sometimes, willingness alone is not enough.”

The Iranian Foreign Minister added: “I am satisfied with the progress and pace of the negotiations, and I believe the process is moving in a good and satisfactory direction. The atmosphere is positive. There is seriousness on both sides, and I believe there is willingness as well. We are fully committed, but can an agreement be reached? I am hopeful, yet very cautious.