"This incident was not an act of intentional sabotage," said the lawmaker who is head of Iran's parliamentary energycommittee."Experts had forewarned that Abadan refinery was not readyto be inaugurated," he told reporters. "The incident in Abadanrefinery was due to technical problems.Thick smoke was seen rising from the refinery in Abadan, south-western Iran, close to the Iraqi border, but firefighters had the blaze under control, Iranian news agencies said.Any damage to the plant would have no impact on oil exports from the world's fifth-biggest exporter as it is involved in producing gasoline, mostly for domestic consumption, not the production of crude.
Industrial accidents are far from rare in Iran's oil industry and state broadcaster IRIB said on its website that similar incidents had occurred in the weeks running up to the new plant's inauguration.But Iran's vital oil and gas infrastructure are often targets for sabotage and several rebel groups pursue bombing campaigns in various parts of the country.Ahmadinejad, who is embroiled in a power struggle with other factions in Iran's conservative ruling elite, made no mention of the incident in his speech which concentrated on criticizing the United States' role in the Middle East.His presence at the inauguration shows the importance Tehran places on increasing its oil refining capacity at a time when international sanctions have squeezed its ability to import the automotive fuel.Lethal blast at Iran refinery as Ahmadinejad visits
Two dead, at least 12 injured at Abadan refinery; president unhurt, makes scheduled televised address; blast blamed on technical problems.
