Articles in this Cluster
28-04-2025
At least 40 people were killed and over 1,000 injured in a massive explosion at Iran's largest commercial port, Shahid Rajaee port, on Saturday. The blast has sparked widespread anger and blame towards the authorities, with many questioning how so much inflammable material was left at the port without proper care. The explosion is believed to have been caused by a fire at a hazardous materials storage depot, with some speculating it was related to the storage of rocket fuel for ballistic missiles. The Iranian government has denied claims that military fuel was being stored at the port and has launched an investigation into the cause of the blast. The explosion has also raised concerns about the potential impact on Iran's economy, as the port handles nearly 80% of the country's imports. The government has declared a day of national mourning and has received condolences from several countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Russia.
28-04-2025
A massive explosion and fire at Iran's Shahid Rajaei port near Bandar Abbas on Saturday killed at least 40 people and injured around 1,000 others. The blast reportedly involved a shipment of hazardous goods and chemical materials, with some sources suggesting it was related to ammonium perchlorate, a chemical used in missile propellant. Iranian officials have denied this claim, calling foreign reports "baseless." The cause of the explosion is under investigation, with the Iranian Interior Ministry launching a probe. The port, a significant location on the Strait of Hormuz, resumed some activities on Sunday, with the fire reportedly under control. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited the site and declared three days of mourning.
28-04-2025
A massive explosion and fire occurred at the Shahid Rajaei port in southern Iran, killing at least 5 people and injuring over 700 others. The blast was purportedly linked to a shipment of sodium perchlorate, a chemical used to make missile propellant. The incident happened as Iran and the US were holding nuclear talks in Oman. Iranian officials have launched an investigation, with some suggesting the explosion may have been caused by improper handling of hazardous materials. The port, a major cargo destination, had received a shipment of the chemical in March, according to a private security firm.
28-04-2025
At least 40 people were killed and several hundred injured in an explosion and fire at Iran's largest port, Shahid Rajaei, near the city of Bandar Abbas. The blast, which occurred as Iran held talks with the US over its nuclear program, caused significant damage, shattering windows several miles away. The cause is unclear, but chemicals at the port are suspected to have worsened the blast. Iran's defence ministry denied reports that the explosion was linked to the mishandling of solid fuel used for missiles, calling them "enemy psyops". The fire was largely extinguished by Sunday, and port activities had resumed in unaffected areas.
28-04-2025
The US military has hit over 800 Houthi targets in Yemen since launching air and naval strikes on March 15, killing hundreds of fighters and leaders, in an effort to end the threat posed by the Iran-backed group to shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The Houthis have targeted dozens of merchant vessels with missiles, drones, and small boat attacks since November 2023, sinking two vessels and killing four crew members, claiming they are acting in support of Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas war. The strikes have resulted in significant casualties, with at least 74 people killed and 171 wounded in earlier attacks.
28-04-2025
Yemen's Houthi rebels alleged that a US airstrike hit a prison holding around 100 African migrants in the Saada governorate, killing and wounding some inmates. The US military had no immediate comment, citing operational security concerns. Graphic footage aired by the Houthis showed dead bodies and wounded individuals at the site, with analysts suggesting an explosion occurred. The incident has raised concerns about the US campaign, "Operation Rough Rider," which has conducted over 800 airstrikes against the Houthis, targeting their missile and drone program, and killing hundreds of fighters and leaders. African migrants have been caught in the conflict, with many detained, abused, and killed in Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
28-04-2025
Israel launched an air strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, targeting a building it claimed was being used by Hezbollah to store "precision-guided missiles". The attack occurred despite a ceasefire in place since November, and was condemned by the Lebanese presidency, which called on the US and France to pressure Israel to stop its attacks. The strike caused a large fire and significant damage, but no casualties were reported. The Israeli government said it would not allow Hezbollah to grow stronger, while the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon urged all sides to halt actions that could undermine the ceasefire.
28-04-2025
Qatar's prime minister says there's been "a bit of progress" in efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, but a lasting solution remains elusive. Hamas appears more receptive to negotiations, proposing a deal that would release all remaining hostages in exchange for a five-year ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. However, Israel has shown no intention of withdrawing, and the two sides remain at odds over the terms of a ceasefire. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with over 52,000 Palestinians killed, and a severe humanitarian crisis, with the UN's food stocks in Gaza depleted due to the Israeli blockade.
28-04-2025
The death toll in Gaza has risen to 52,243, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, as Israel continues its offensive in the territory. The latest numbers come after Israel ended its ceasefire with Hamas in March and has been carrying out daily strikes, expanding a buffer zone and encircling the southern city of Rafah. Israel has also sealed off the territory, restricting imports of food and medicine, leading to widespread shortages and malnutrition among the 2 million Palestinians living there. Israel says its actions are aimed at pressuring Hamas to release hostages taken during its October 7, 2023, attack, while Hamas has said it will only release the remaining 59 hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire, and a full Israeli withdrawal.
28-04-2025
An Israeli government spokesperson has denied that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) targets aid workers, calling such claims "blood libel" after a UK minister called for investigations into attacks that have killed aid workers. The IDF had recently admitted responsibility for an attack on a UN guest house in Gaza, killing one staff member, despite initially denying it. The UK minister, Hamish Falconer, stated that aid workers need protection and must never be targeted, and called for Israel to investigate attacks that have killed aid workers and hold those responsible accountable. The Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson claimed that Israel "investigates itself transparently" in such events and advised the UK minister to look into investigations into cases where the UK was responsible for civilian deaths during armed conflicts.
28-04-2025
Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated along the border in disputed Kashmir following a deadly attack on tourists last week, in which 26 people were killed. Pakistan's military fired at Indian posts along the frontier for a second consecutive night, prompting Indian troops to respond. India accused Pakistan of backing the attack, while Pakistan denied the charge. The region has seen a rise in tensions, with both countries imposing economic and travel restrictions on each other. Pakistan's Prime Minister vowed to respond "with full force and might" to Indian attempts to stop or divert the flow of water, while Iran offered mediation and the US called for calm.
28-04-2025
India and Pakistan have escalated tensions over the disputed Kashmir region after a gun attack on Indian tourists, killing 26 people. Here are five reasons why the flare-up matters: it could lead to an armed conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors; Kashmir is a nuclear flashpoint; a conflict could draw in China, a key ally of Pakistan and rival of India; tensions can lead to a war over water as India suspended a treaty governing the flow of river waters to Pakistan; and the situation tests the world's response to rights abuses and militant attacks in Kashmir.
