At Least 40 Killed in Explosion of Extremely Dangerous Cargo at Rajaei Port in Southern IranThis port, one of Iran’s most important economic terminals, has been burning since noon on Saturday, and the extent of the damage caused by three explosions and more than 36 hours of burning cannot be fully assessed until the fire is completely extinguished. It is estimated that each day of the port’s closure inflicts approximately 25 million dollars in losses on Iran’s economy. Data from the Ports and Maritime Organization of the Iranian regime shows that 57 percent of the country’s nominal commercial port capacity is concentrated at Rajaei Port. This port has a capacity of 160 million tons. The second largest, Khomeini Port, has a nominal capacity of only 60 million tons. The next one, Anzali Port, with a capacity of 13.6 million tons, is located in the north of the country and, due to its geographic position, plays a limited role in international trade. Bushehr Port also has only a nominal capacity of 13.4 million tons. In the container sector, out of the 11 active ports in Iran, 77 percent of the country’s nominal container handling capacity—equivalent to 6,650,000 TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit, a standard measure where one 20-foot container equals one TEU)—is concentrated at Rajaei Port. The next port in this sector is Bushehr, with a registered capacity of only 550,000 TEU. From March 21, 2024, to March 21, 2025, out of a total of 158,455,624 tons of goods transported through 21 ports across Iran, about 51 percent—equal to 81,020,482 tons—were either loaded or unloaded through Rajaei Port. Approximately 52 percent of all oil products imported or exported through Iran’s 21 ports passed through Rajaei Port. From March 21, 2024, to March 21, 2025, out of a total of 52,542,000 tons of oil products, 27,149,000 tons were either loaded or unloaded at this port.
Explosion at Iran’s Largest Commercial Port and Its Impact on the Economy
Continued Protests of Iranian Retirees and Workers on the Eve of International Workers’ Day
Protest Gathering of Steel and Mining Retirees in Isfahan, Kerman, and Tehran
Retirees from the steel and mining industries in the cities of Isfahan, Kerman, and Tehran held protest gatherings to object to poor living conditions, delayed paychecks, and the unfulfilled promises of officials. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Astronomical thefts, public misery” and “Only in the streets will we win our rights,” demanding an end to discrimination and the securing of their basic rights.March of Social Security Retirees in Kermanshah and Khuzestan
In Kermanshah, retirees covered by the Social Security Organization gathered in front of relevant offices to protest the policies of the Supreme Labor Council and the worsening economic situation. Slogans such as “Supreme Labor Council, supporter of capitalists” and “Imprisoned teachers must be freed” were among their demands. In Khuzestan province, retirees in the cities of Ahvaz, Shush, and Haft-Tappeh held major gatherings in front of the governorates. They protested against poverty, corruption, and repression with slogans like “From Khuzestan to Sistan, shame on these managers” and “Under the burden of inflation, the people’s backs are broken.” They also criticized the lack of adequate healthcare, medical services, and educational facilities.Truck Drivers and People of Behabad in Yazd Protest Against Transfer of Chah-Gaz Mine
In Behabad County in Yazd province, central Iran, local people and truck drivers protested against the twenty-year transfer of the Chah-Gaz mine to the Choghart company in Bafq and Chadormalu company. Protesters viewed this move as a threat to local livelihoods and employment and demanded the cancellation of the auction and attention to regional interests. They emphasized that mineral resources must serve local development and employment for native residents.Strike of Titanium Mine Workers in Kahnuj
Local workers at the Kahnuj Titanium Mine in Kerman province also staged a protest in front of the company against the dismissal of more than 70 local employees without clear reasons. This crisis began in mid-March with the dismissal of ten workers and intensified in recent days with another 60 workers losing their jobs under the pretext of contract expiration. The workers are demanding reinstatement, an end to anti-worker policies, and local residents’ access to the wealth of the region’s mineral resources. These protests reflect the depth of public dissatisfaction with the economic, social, and political conditions. Protesters demanded justice, welfare, and an end to discrimination and corruption with slogans such as “We won’t live under oppression” and “Shame on these managers.”At Least 40 Killed in Explosion of Extremely Dangerous Cargo at Rajaei Port in Southern Iran
Iranian Political Prisoner Jafar Kashani Tortured for Chanting Against Khamenei
Amnesty International Warns of Imminent Executions of Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani After Unfair Trials in IranIn January 2021, Hamid Haj Jafar Kashani was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, to three years and six months of prison for “assembly and collusion” and eight months of prison for “propaganda against the regime.” As supplementary punishment, he was also sentenced to two years of deprivation from membership in political parties, groups, and factions, and two months of compulsory daily work, four hours per day, at the Cultural and Educational Deputy of the Martyrs and Veterans Affairs Foundation, under the supervision of the foundation’s security department. Kashani had previously been arrested and convicted for his political activities. In his most recent case before this, he was arrested by security forces in Qaemshahr in 2018 and was sentenced by Branch 2 of the Sari Revolutionary Court to three years of prison on charges of “insulting the leadership” and “propaganda against the regime.” Hamid Kashani is a futsal referee. After his release from prison in 2017, based on a decision by the security department of Iran’s Football Federation, he was banned from continuing his refereeing career in the premier league futsal competitions. On July 20, 2022, Kashani was transferred from Evin Prison to Gohardasht Prison in Karaj. He suffers from kidney problems and was denied proper medical care and medical furlough throughout his imprisonment.
28 killed and more than 750 injured in Rajaei Port explosion in Iran
Explosion at Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas Leaves Over 700 Injured and 5 DeathMohammadreza Rezaei Kochi, head of the Civil Commission of Iranian regime’s Majlis (parliament), told state-run ILNA news agency: “Accurate investigations have not been completed yet, but it is estimated that more than ten thousand containers have been destroyed.” He pointed out the lack of warehouse standards at Rajaei Port, stating that regulations regarding the placement of containers had not been observed, the spacing between them did not meet standards, and proper separation based on cargo type had not been implemented. Rezaei Kochi added: “We had anticipated that firefighting operations would conclude in about two more hours (around 3 PM) on Sunday, but several containers caught fire due to high heat, which spread the blaze to other containers.” According to him, a new part of the port is now engulfed in flames. Meanwhile, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), expressed her condolences to the families of the victims of this incident and held the Iranian regime fully responsible for this human tragedy.
With this explosion and the subsequent halt of port operations, fifty-seven percent of the country’s nominal unloading and loading capacity has effectively become unavailable. This port does not play a significant role in the trade of essential goods, but it holds a special position in the handling of petroleum products. The Associated Press, quoting the maritime security company Ambrey, reported that the explosions at Rajaei Port in Bandar Abbas were caused by the mishandling of a shipment of solid fuel used in ballistic missiles. According to Ambrey, the port had received a shipment of missile fuel, specifically sodium perchlorate, in March. This fuel was part of a cargo that, according to a Financial Times report in January, had been sent from China to Iran by two ships. According to the report, the mentioned fuel was intended for the replenishment of the Iranian regime’s missile stockpiles. Ambrey, citing its sources, stated that the fire broke out following the improper handling of this solid fuel shipment. Ship tracking data analyzed by the Associated Press indicated that one of the vessels suspected of carrying these chemicals was present near the mentioned port in March.My heartfelt condolences and sympathy go out to the grieving people of Bandar Abbas following today’s devastating explosion.
— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) April 26, 2025
There is no doubt that the clerical regime bears full responsibility for this tragedy. Their reckless stockpiling of chemical materials, weapons, and…
The life of political prisoner Kamran Rezaeifar is in danger.
Explosion at Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas Leaves Over 700 Injured and 5 Death
Paraguay designates IRGC as a terrorist organization
Declaración de la Vocera del @StateDept Tammy Bruce (@statedeptspox) congratulando a Paraguay por Restringir a Irán y a sus Intermediarios https://t.co/Y6WRgYiLWO
— Embajada de EE.UU. (@laembajada) April 24, 2025
The IRGC and Hezbollah’s presence in Latin America
The IRGC and Hezbollah have had a long-standing presence in Latin America, especially in the Tri-Border Area between Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil. This region, due to weak legal oversight and the presence of Arab diaspora communities, has become a favorable ground for illicit activities. Hezbollah has been present in this region since the 1980s and has been involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, and financing terrorist operations. For example, in 2002, reports emerged about open Hezbollah activities in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay. In recent years, U.S. and Paraguayan authorities have succeeded in identifying and dismantling cocaine trafficking networks linked to Hezbollah in this region.Disarming Hezbollah: A Crippling Blow to Iranian RegimeIn addition, the IRGC has been active in Latin America through its Quds Force. For instance, in 2022, a Boeing 747 cargo plane crewed by Iranians and Venezuelans landed in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay. This flight was seen as part of an air bridge between Iran and Venezuela, used to transport senior regime officials, intelligence agents, and weapons under the cover of passenger or cargo flights.
Consequences of Paraguay’s decision
Paraguay’s designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization reflects growing international concerns over Iran’s activities and its proxy groups in Latin America. This move could strengthen regional cooperation in countering terrorism and organized crime and exert further pressure on Iran’s regime to stop supporting terrorist groups.Disarming Hezbollah: A Crippling Blow to Iranian Regime
Syria, Hezbollah, and Iran’s Regime Obstructed Lebanese Reconciliation for YearsHezbollah is not merely a paramilitary group but a central pillar of Iran’s regime’s regional policy. From Syria to Iraq and Yemen, Tehran’s regional influence has largely relied on proxies like Hezbollah. Within this framework, Lebanon has consistently served as a key strategic outpost for the regime—both in confronting Israel and in exerting control over Lebanon’s internal political affairs. At a time when Tehran is entangled in deep internal crises, international sanctions, and drawn-out negotiations with the U.S. over its nuclear program, the elimination of one of its most crucial foreign levers would amount to structural damage to the regime. The recent remarks by the regime’s ambassador in Beirut—who initially called Hezbollah’s disarmament a “conspiracy” in a tweet, only to later walk it back by labeling it a “domestic Lebanese matter”—are themselves evidence of growing pressure on the regime to retreat from its interventionist stance in Lebanon. The repeated summons of the regime’s ambassador by Lebanon’s foreign ministry is a clear sign of the country’s political space opening up to challenge Hezbollah’s role and influence, and by extension, that of the Iranian regime. These developments come as Hezbollah has lost a significant portion of its legitimacy in Lebanon in recent years—particularly following the Beirut port explosion, the deepening economic crisis, and its failure to provide solutions for the public’s hardship. A large segment of Lebanese society has now concluded that disarming Hezbollah and restoring military authority to the state are prerequisites for any form of national stability and progress. In the current balance of power, disarming Hezbollah appears to be an inevitable and logical outcome. This shift is not happening through war, but rather through Hezbollah’s own political and social erosion, and the transformation of Lebanon’s internal dynamics. Just as Syria is no longer the regime’s former maneuvering ground, Lebanon too is gradually breaking free from Tehran’s proxy control. For a regime that sits at the negotiation table while carrying out mass executions in the streets of Tehran out of fear of popular uprising, Hezbollah’s disarmament is just one more sign of its decline—not only across the region but within its own power structure.
Amnesty International Warns of Imminent Executions of Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani After Unfair Trials in Iran
Amnesty International emphasized that global action is now needed and called on Iran’s regime to halt any plans to carry out the executions. Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani are at imminent risk of execution after an extremely unfair trial tainted by torture and other ill-treatment used to extract “forced confessions.” Iranian authorities must stop their execution and release them immediately.Amnesty International is gravely concerned that Behrouz Ehsani & Mehdi Hassani are at imminent risk of execution in Ghezel Hesar prison after their 2nd judicial review request was rejected. Global action is needed NOW urging Iran's authorities to halt any plans to execute them! https://t.co/pdssTZpeJT
— Amnesty Iran (@AmnestyIran) April 24, 2025
Iranian Regime’s Contradictory Justifications for Executing Political OpponentsAccording to Amnesty International, Mehdi Hassani said that the Supreme Court of Iran’s regime rejected his lawyer’s request to appeal the death sentence issued by the lower court. Amnesty International also reported that the second judicial appeal filed by Behrouz Ehsani’s lawyer has likewise been rejected. Amnesty International released further details of the shocking and severe violations of fair trial rights in the cases of Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani, including allegations of torture and their extremely unfair five-minute trial held in September 2024 in the regime’s Revolutionary Court.


