#BandarAbbas, Iran talks—and more

The Iranist for the week of May 2, 2025

May 02, 2025

۱/1 All Iranians are thinking about #BandarAbbas🖤

Amid ongoing US-Iran talks in Oman on April 26, a devastating explosion rocked the Shahid Rajaee port in the southern city of Bandar Abbas around 10:30 am local time. The blast in Hormozgan province occurred in a warehouse owned by the Avanar Parsian company, killing at least 70 people and injuring over a thousand (IranWire/Al-Monitor). The explosion was so powerful that it was felt more than 30 miles away, according to a spokesman for Iran’s crisis management unit (Washington Post). The Shahid Rajaee port is the country’s largest, and last year, it handled 85 percent of Iran’s shipping container traffic, including oil (New York Times).

The blast was declared a health emergency, with authorities warning of airborne toxic pollutants—including ammonia, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide—prompting Iranians to stay indoors and wear masks. Iranian officials have also raised concerns about the long-term health and environmental impacts of the blast (IranWire). Many suspect the true death toll is significantly higher and view the explosion as yet another instance of government mismanagement and its failure to respond to a disaster (IranWire).

On May 29, Iranian officials said that the blaze had been brought under control and toxic substances had not leaked into the Persian Gulf (The Guardian). IranWire reported that the fires caused by the explosion took days to extinguish and cost $25 million in losses daily. Meanwhile, the Russian embassy in Tehran said it sent multiple “aircraft carrying specialists” to help fight the fires (The Guardian).

WHAT CAUSED THE EXPLOSION? Footage of the blast showed reddish-hued smoke rising from the fire before detonation, suggesting a chemical compound similar to the 2020 Beirut port blast (AP). An Iranian official told state-run Islamic Republic News Agency that the explosion was caused by containers of chemicals but didn’t clarify what the chemicals were (New York Times). After speaking to experts and analyzing imagery, the Washington Post concluded that “the incident was likely caused by a violent chemical reaction that resulted in a fire and led to the explosion.”

As more information was analyzed, many started pointing out that the blast was likely linked to the mismanagement of a chemical used for missiles. A source within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) told the New York Times that the incident was caused by sodium perchlorate, a major ingredient in solid fuel for missiles. Private security firm Ambrey told the Associated Press that Tehran received the chemical in March as part of a shipment from China by two vessels initially reported by the Financial Times in January (read the piece).

The Associated Press analyzed ship-tracking data and found that one of the vessels believed to be carrying the chemical was in the vicinity in March. Ambrey said, “The fire was reportedly the result of improper handling of a shipment of solid fuel intended for use in Iranian ballistic missiles.” Not surprisingly, the Defense Ministry spokesperson denied that there was any “for-import or for-export fuel batch with military use in the area of the fire accident.” (Washington Post)

Meanwhile, on April 29, at about 10:30 am local time (the same time as the port blast), an explosion occurred at the Ava Nar Parsian chemicals company, a site overseen by Iran’s national security council, in the central city of Esfahan (Al-Monitor). The incident left at least one dead. A website for a company called Avanar states that it produces explosives and is based in Esfahan. On the same day, Iran repelled a “complex” cyber attack (Reuters).

WAS ISRAEL BEHIND IT? There is no evidence that Israel was involved, but many theories have been floating around, due to the timing of the event, and given that in October 2024, Israel targeted missile sites that use industrial mixers to create solid fuel. Similarly, in 2020, Israel launched a cyberattack hampering operations at Shahid Rajaee port. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) sources denied being behind the incident (Maariv.co.il).

On April 30, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is leading the nuclear talks, said:

“Our security services are on high alert given past instances of attempted sabotage and assassination operations designed to provoke a legitimate response.” (AP)

A member of parliament’s national security commission Mohammad Mehdi Shahriari said four committees were examining potential causes, including the possibility that Israel had been involved in an attempt to disrupt negotiations (The Guardian).

WHAT ARE IRANIAN OFFICIALS SAYING? Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni blamed the explosion on “shortcomings, including noncompliance with safety precautions and negligence.” (Washington Post) Upper echelons of the clerical establishment have called for an investigation into the incident (New York Times).

But what raised the ire of many Iranians was how the clerical establishment reacted in the aftermath. One day of national mourning was declared for the victims of the port blast, whereas Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah was given five days of mourning (Hormozgan province had three days of mourning) (BBC). On April 28, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued what was seen as a delayed statement in which he merely “requested mercy” for the lives lost and dismissed the incident as government negligence (IranWire).

On April 27, President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Bandar Abbas to oversee relief efforts and meet with the injured (Washington Post). A viral video of Pezeshkian jokingly telling an injured man, “If I were you, I’d get up and leave right now,” came off as insensitive to many (IranWire). While Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh said in an interview that life had returned to “normal,” while fires still burned and families continued searching for the missing (IranWire).

HOW ARE ORDINARY IRANIANS REACTING? There was a shortage of blood, prompting many Iranians across the country to donate. A local festival, not far from the port, turned into a solemn occasion for mourning the dead and praying for the injured.

What began as mourning has quickly turned into outrage, as many Iranians blame the authorities for yet another example of mismanagement and negligence (BBC). One video circulating on X showed several women asking why authorities were nowhere to be found, with one chanting, “Resign! Resign!”

Others are angry about how the Islamic Republic focuses on deaths in the Gaza Strip and Yemen and provides support to proxies instead of focusing attention at home with funds and resources. One Iranian commented on X:

“They sent a plane for the terrorists of Lebanon (Hezbollah) to get treatment in Tehran, but for Bandar Abbas nothing!”

The tragedy has deeply shaken both Iranians inside Iran and the diaspora, with social media flooded with messages of grief, solidarity, and urgent calls to donate blood for victims in بندرعباس# (#BandarAbbas) (X).

Images created by Iranians in solidarity with Bandar Abbas

There has also been a crackdown on journalists reporting on the port blast and the explosion in Esfahan. On September 26, the prosecutor’s office issued a statement warning media and social media activists to avoid content that “disturbs the psychological security of society.” (The Guardian) It then said it had filed criminal charges against several activists and media outlets for what they described as “false content” and the “spreading of lies.” (IranWire)

A Tehran-based journalist told The Guardian:

“Not only were we warned against doing ground reporting, but we were also effectively banned from posting updates on social media. In the face of such a tragedy, what are they hiding? Either the death toll is far higher than reported, or they’re covering up the true cause of the blast. After the charges were filed, our newsrooms began self-censoring out of fear of prosecution.”

The clerical establishment appears concerned that another glaring example of mismanagement could ignite widespread unrest.

۲/2 Third round of talks suggested progress, but no new date scheduled

On April 26, the United States and Iran held their third round of talks in Muscat, Oman, about the country’s controversial nuclear program. The US side was led by Special Envoy for the Middle East (and Russia issues) Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi led the Iranian side. During the negotiations in Oman, an explosion hit the key port city of Bandar Abbas (READ #1).

After about more than 7 hours of discussions, the talks were reportedly scheduled to continue on May 3, suggesting continued progress (X). As the Washington Post explained: “The fact the sides advanced to technical talks suggests they reached an agreement on general principles and perhaps a timeline for the talks going forward.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi told state media afterward:

“This time, the negotiations were much more serious than in the past, and we gradually entered into deeper and more detailed discussions. We have moved somewhat away from broader, general discussions—though it is not the case that all disagreements have been resolved. Differences still exist both on major issues and on the details.” (AP)

An unnamed senior US official described the talks as “positive and productive” again (AP).

These negotiations were noteworthy because the two sides held their first technical talks—e.g., sanctions relief and how it pertains to the nuclear program. The State Department’s policy planning director Michael Anton led the US technical team, which reportedly comprised of about a dozen, largely career officials from the CIA, State Department, and Treasury Department. Deputy Foreign Minister of Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi led the Iranian technical team, with mostly sanctions relief experts (Washington Post/AP).

On the same date, President Donald Trump told reporters while aboard Air Force One that:

“The Iran situation is coming out very well. We’ve had a lot of talks with them, and I think we’re going to have a deal. I’d much rather have a deal than the other alternative. That would be good for humanity. There are some people that want to make a different kind of a deal—a much nastier deal—and I don’t want that to happen to Iran if we can avoid it.” (Times of Israel)

TALKS POSTPONED On May 1, Oman said the talks were rescheduled due to logistical reasons (Reuters). However, an Iranian official told Reuters that a new date will be set “depending on the US approach.” A source familiar with the US negotiators said the United States “had never confirmed its participation” in a fourth round of talks but that negotiations would continue “in the near future.”

Araghchi wrote on X:

“Together with Omani and US interlocutors, we have decided to postpone the 4th round of talks for logistical and technical reasons. On Iran’s part, there is no change in our determination to secure a negotiated solution. In fact, we are more determined than ever to achieve a just and balanced deal: guaranteeing an end to sanctions, and creating confidence that Iran's nuclear program will forever remain peaceful while ensuring that Iranian rights are fully respected.”

The reason Araghchi is making multiple appearances in this section is because the Iranians have been better at messaging than the Americans. Just days prior, on April 28, Aragchi posted on X:

“…What is striking, however, is how brazenly Netanyahu is now dictating what President Trump can and cannot do in his diplomacy with Iran. Conveniently, Netanyahu’s Allies in the Failed Biden Team—who failed to reach a deal with Iran—are FALSELY casting our indirect negotiations with the Trump administration as another JCPOA… Many Iranians no longer believe the JCPOA is sufficient. They seek tangible dividends. Nothing Netanyahu’s Allies in the Failed Biden Team say or do will change this reality. There is no military option, and certainly no military solution. Any strike will be immediately reciprocated.”

This is yet another example of how the Iranian foreign minister knows how to talk to President Trump. The comments were made in response to the Israeli prime minister reiterating his call for the full dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear program (Reuters).

The Wall Street Journal’s Laurence Norman was told that the next round had been moved to May 7 (X). However, this has not been confirmed (X).

Meanwhile, the US continues to target Iran with sanctions (SEE OTHER HEADLINES).

A SIDE CHAT POSTPONED The E3—Britain, France, and Germany—were set to meet with Iranian officials in Rome on May 2 (a day before the supposed scheduled talks), but it was reportedly also postponed because of the nuclear negotiations postponement (Reuters/AFP/X)

IRAN HAWK OUT—SORT OF On May 1, news broke that National Security Advisor Mike Waltz was leaving his role to become United Nations ambassador (if he is confirmed). A known Iran hawk, he advocated for the full dismantlement of the country’s nuclear program (also known as the Libya model). Some members of the clerical establishment likely interpreted Waltz’s departure as a positive signal. The New York Times reported that the MAGA wing of the Trump administration saw him as too establishment and hawkish on issues like Iran and Russia.

۳/3 Political prisoner executed after forced confession

As executions surge in Iran, an anti-execution campaign expands to 41 prisons across the country (IranWire).

۵/5 Culture minister attends Pope Francis’ funeral

Culture Minister Abbas Salehi sat just three rows behind US President Donald Trump (X). (Countries were seated based on the French diplomatic alphabetical order.)

۶/6 Kian Pirfalak’s gravestone purposely desecrated

۷/7 Iran had plans to rebuild Syria—but then Assad fell

OTHER اخبار/NEWS THAT MADE HEADLINES:

Human Rights

۰ Four prisoners executed in Esfahan on drug charges (IranWire)

۰ Man shot dead protesting relative’s execution (IranWire)

۰ Woman attacked with acid by husband at school (IranWire)

۰ Christian woman arrested day before mother-in-law’s funeral (IranWire)

۰ Political prisoner denied medical care in Tehran (IranWire)

۰ Teachers arrested ahead of labor day protests (IranWire)

۰ Women targeted by surveillance system for hijab violations (IranWire)

۰ Iranian ‘sex toy smuggler’ wins right to remain in Britain (Telegraph)

۰ Battered by brutal repression and lethal work conditions (CHRI)

Domestic Issues

Babak Zanjani granted prison leave after 11 years, judiciary confirms (IranWire)

State-led hate speech surged in March amid religious tensions (IranWire)

Border guards shoot two Kurdish kolbars (IranWire)

Foreign Policy + Security

۰ Trump’s ambitious but erratic Iran policy hits the 100-day mark (Iran International)

۰ Pentagon chief warns Iran of consequences for supporting Houthis (Reuters)

۰ Cruz urges Princeton to take action over professor accused of pro-Iran allegiances, citing risk to students (Fox News)

۰ Iran, Azerbaijan ink 7 MOUs as Pezeshkian visits Baku (Al-Monitor)

۰ Iran and Pakistan expelled 583 families in one day (Amu)

Iran Deal + Sanctions

۰ About half of Israelis back strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, poll shows (Iran International)

۰ Iran dangles ‘trillion dollar’ incentive for Trump in deal talks (Bloomberg)

۰ France won't hesitate to restore UN sanctions on Iran if no deal, says foreign minister (Reuters)

۰ US targets China, Iran-based firms in fresh Iran sanctions (Reuters)

۰ Trump threatens sanctions against buyers of Iranian oil after US-Iran nuclear talks are postponed (AP)

۰ US sanctions three ships allegedly linked to Iran-backed Houthis (Bloomberg)

Diaspora

۰ Iran Prosperity Project launched (NUFDI)

۰ Karim Hibibi grew up on the farm after his family fled Iran (ITV)