Putin's move - sending planes after the explosion

Vladimir Putin

Putin sends planes after the port explosion in Iran

Astrid Larsson

Updated 15.01 | Published 12.55

Photo: Razieh Pudat / AP

Russia is showing its support after the huge port explosion in Iran.

Putin has ordered several planes there to help with the extinguishing work.

At least 28 people have been confirmed dead.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sends his condolences to those affected in Iran, in a message published on the Kremlin website.

Since the explosion that occurred on Saturday, at least 28 people have died and over 1,000 have been injured in the container area in the port outside Bandar Abbas in southern Iran.

Containers burn after the explosion on Saturday. Photo: Meysam Mirzadeh/AP

Barely a day later, Putin ordered several aircraft from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations to be sent to Iran.

This is to help in the extinguishing work, reports the Russian state-controlled news agency Tass.

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: Alexander Kazakov/AP

Theory: Rocket fuel

Shortly after the explosion, rumors began to circulate that Israel could be behind the explosion.

According to information from earlier in April, the port had recently received over 1,000 tons of rocket fuel from Shanghai in China, according to N12,intended for Iran's ballistic missile program.

However, the Israeli government denies any involvement, according to N12.

At the same time, Iran's Revolutionary Guards dismiss reports that the fuel played any role in the explosion. The port's operations have been halted for the time being.