Iran: Explosives placed in containers

Iran

40 dead after port explosion - Iran points to Israel

Nelly Kronstrand,

Wayne Seretis

Updated 18.32 | Published 17.41

 

Thick smoke rose into the sky after the explosion. Photo: Razieh Pudat/AP

Iran points to Israel as responsible for the port explosion at Bandar Abbas.

So far, 40 are dead and over 1200 injured.

– Explosives were placed in containers, says MP Mohammed Seraj.

The death toll is rising after Saturday's massive port explosion outside the southern Iranian city of Bandar Abbas.

According to the Iranian news agency Tasnim news, at least 40 people have died and over 1000 have been injured.

Previously, the New York Times, among others, published information that Iran stored over a thousand tons of high-explosive rocket fuel for its military rocket program in the port.

Clear evidence

However, the cause of the explosion has been shrouded in mystery until now.

On Sunday, Iranian MP Mohammed Seraj said that it was “not an accident,” according to Israeli Ynet.

– Explosives were placed in containers either in the country of origin or along the shipping route. We do not rule out external actors who helped place the explosives. Clear evidence points to Israel. Explosions occurred in four different places, says Seraj according to Ynet.

Israel already denied any involvement on Saturday, according to the N12 television channel.