Iranian lawmaker praises progress in US talks

Several parliamentary committees had been tasked with visiting Rajaei Port to investigate the explosions and report their findings, said Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf Sunday.

Reports received by Iran International show a heavy security presence at the port, with the Revolutionary Guard taking control of the site and threatening journalists against publishing reports or images from the area.

As the fire from the Rajaei Port explosion entered a second day, Islamic Republic-affiliated organizations and media marked Sunday, as “Transportation Safety Day,” including for the nation’s ports.

The blast at Rajaei Port on Saturday halted operations at the key southern hub, knocking out 57 percent of Iran’s nominal loading and unloading capacity. The port plays a critical role in trade and the transport of oil products.

The fire at Rajaei port was largely contained but efforts to extinguish the remaining 20 percent were ongoing, Fatemeh Mohajerani, Iran’s government spokeswoman, said in a post on X.

"The situation is under control," she said, adding that several injured individuals were airlifted to Shiraz and Larestan.

Tehran City Council chairman Mehdi Chamran told domestic media that a team of 30 firefighters with foam and essential equipment was dispatched from Tehran to assist operations.

Iran's nuclear program is merely the tip of the iceberg in the broader spectrum of disagreements between Tehran and the West, the former head of the country's atomic energy organization said on Sunday.

Fereydoun Abbasi, who previously led the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), said that the way Western powers approach the nuclear issue will significantly determine the trajectory of these multifaceted disputes.

Speaking to Iranian media, Abbasi cautioned against relying on information about ongoing negotiations that emerges through the press. "One cannot rely on the data that comes out about the negotiations from the media," he said, suggesting that the full scope of discussions remains behind closed doors.

Beyond the nuclear file, Abbasi highlighted a range of contentious issues that contribute to the strained relationship between Iran and Western nations. "Missile discussions, the region, human rights, women's rights – all are subjects of disagreement," he added.

​As of 3 pm on Saturday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intelligence forces have taken full control of the Shahid Rajaei Port area, including port facilities and adjacent customs buildings, Iran International has learned.

Sources indicate that even the port's security guards and customs protection personnel have been denied access to these zones.​

Reports also suggest that IRGC forces are preventing vehicle owners from retrieving their cars parked in the limited-access parking areas of the Shahid Rajaei port and customs facilities.​

In the city of Bandar Abbas, even in eastern districts far from the port, air pollution levels are so high that residents widely report the smell of burning and nasal irritation.​

The eastern and northern exit routes from Bandar Abbas are experiencing heavy traffic due to a significant exodus of residents.​

According to local citizens, the initial explosion caused ground tremors that many mistook for a major earthquake.