Iran has accused Israel of causing Saturday’s explosions that rocked sea port facilities at Shahid Rajaee Port.
The port located at the Strait of Hormuz is Iran’s largest and most advanced terminal, through which much of the country’s sea-borne cargo transits.
So far 36 persons have died and about 800 injured in the blasts which might have been caused by improper storage of dangerous chemicals.
“Israel was involved in the Rajaee Port explosion. This was not an accident,” Iranian parliament member Mohamed Seraj said.
“Explosives were planted in containers, either at the country of origin or along the shipping route. We do not rule out internal elements helping plant the explosives.” He claimed that: “Clear evidence points to Israeli involvement. The explosion occurred at four different locations.”
Meanwhile Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a plane load of relief material and men to cope with the disaster.
According to the Russian embassy in Tehran, several aircraft carrying teams from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations are being dispatched to Iran.
“We wish success to the Russian rescuers and their Iranian counterparts in containing the fire and saving this strategic port for the Iranian economy and the lives of the people,” the embassy said.
