In the explosion that shook the sky of Bandar Abbas, what fell beyond the smoke and fire in silence was “truth”. In closed systems, truth becomes a victim of security and propaganda mechanisms before it reaches the people. Media freedom is not only a fundamental right, but also the backbone of any healthy and accountable society. In Iran, censorship and systematic control of information are so entrenched that even events as large as the Bandar Rajaei explosion in Bandar Abbas remain without independent and accurate accounts. This article seeks to provide an analytical look at the state of media and the consequences of censorship on society through this event.

On the sixth day of Ordibehesht 1404 (April 26, 2025), a massive explosion occurred in the port of Rajai, one of Iran’s most vital commercial ports. Images shared on social media of the terrifying sound and flames immediately captured the attention of the public. State media either remained silent or released vague and contradictory reports in the early hours. Residents of the area shared their accounts of the severity of the incident and their concerns on social networks, while independent journalists were banned from being present at the scene. It wasn’t until several days after the explosion that images of the incident were published by citizen journalists. Most of these images were taken from a distance or from surveillance cameras that had captured the intensity of the blast. In such an environment, news agencies close to government institutions published initial reports with the intention of downplaying the severity of the incident. Initially, there were reports of 4 deaths and 470 injuries, but these numbers gradually increased under public pressure

Immediately after the limited reflection of the incident in some media outlets, the country’s prosecutor general issued warning statements that the dissemination of “false news and information” is prohibited. Just one day after the explosion, the Tehran prosecutor’s office accused several media outlets and media activists and others were also faced with warnings and threats. These actions showed the government’s determination to control narratives and impose structural censorship. “ILNA”, which is considered a semi-private news agency in Iran, published a report two days after the incident, which was deleted from the agency’s output after a few hours. ILNA quoted the CEO of the Sina Maritime and Port Services Company as stating that the cause of the explosion in Bandar Abbas was a very dangerous cargo that had entered as a regular commodity. ILNA did not mention the reason for the removal of this article, but speculations suggested that it was due to security measures.

The absence of independent journalists and the restriction of free coverage has led to the dominance of the official media’s narrative in the public sphere without any challenge. The voices of the families of the victims, eyewitnesses, and independent human rights organizations had no place in this space. This censorship not only diminished the true dimensions of the incident, but also limited the possibility of demanding transparency, accountability, and justice. In the absence of independent and free media, narratives are not formed, but imposed. The result of this situation is an increase in public confusion and the spread of rumors. People are forced to turn to non-official and sometimes suspicious networks to find the truth. Citizens who should have been informed about the cause and dimensions of the incident within a few minutes, spent days searching for the truth in the virtual space.

The media ecosystem in Iran is heavily controlled by government and security institutions. The coverage of the explosion in Bandar-e Jask was mainly carried out by official and state media, which are largely known as the government’s propaganda arm. News agencies such as Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, Fars, Tasnim, Mehr, IRNA, and ISNA, which are directly affiliated with government, military, or semi-governmental institutions, published the most news related to this incident, controlled, selected, or distorted narratives that were far from reflecting the reality. These media outlets have operated not for enlightenment and accountability, but to shape public opinion and defend the government’s official narrative throughout the life of the Islamic Republic. Most of them even have an active and organized presence on platforms that are filtered by the government.

The Bandar Abbas incident is not the first or last example of media censorship in Iran. According to the 2025 report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Iran ranks 176 out of 180 countries in terms of media freedom. These rankings reflect a bitter reality: “In Iran, the truth is neither spoken nor heard.”

Accusations such as “undermining the mental security of society”, “spreading lies” and “propaganda against the system” have become tools for suppressing journalists, citizen reporters, and media activists. This atmosphere has created a widespread self-censorship and gradual death of professional journalism in Iran. Every act of censorship is a warning sign for the public health of society. Censoring the media not only hides the truth, but also deprives society of the ability to prepare, prevent, compensate, and demand. Today, Iran more than ever needs independent, accountable, and free media, media that are not afraid to confront security measures, tell the truth, and be the voice of the people.