Tehran

A Washington Post report pointed to a violent chemical reaction as the likely cause of the explosion at the Iranian port that killed at least 70 people.

Marco Rubio said Iran must stop enrichment, missile development, and terrorism support, and allow US inspectors. Nuclear talks were postponed amid major US-Iran disagreements.

Huge projects were stymied early by corruption, sanctions and money problems, and the plans went spectacularly wrong with the fall of Assad.

While Tehran could use the disaster to gain international sympathy, it also means that the Islamic Republic must investigate its own failings, which could reveal weaknesses.

In 2021, a large cyber attack on Iranian petrol stations was said by Tehran to likely be caused by Israel.

A blast at Shahid Rajaee Port in Iran killed 28 and injured 800. Officials deny military cargo involvement and are working to manage the crisis.

The explosion reportedly occurred near an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval base, Army Radio reported.

The 18-year-old was reportedly killed after escaping domestic violence in her family home.

"We in the Islamic Republic of Iran are aware of the danger of this conspiracy ... we warn others not to fall into the trap of enemies," Iran's ambassador to Beirut wrote on X.

This comes after Araghchi made a state visit to Moscow last week, where he told reporters that Tehran collaborates closely with Russia and China.