51�Թ�

The crisis management director for Hormozgan province, Mehrdad Hassanzadeh, also said on Monday that the firefighting effort at the port was "almost in its final stages".

"The source of this incident was the explosion of several containers stored in the Shahid Rajaee Port wharf area," a crisis management official said, according to BBC Persian.

"No path is without risks. The US is also distracted and may not be willing or be able to assist with crisis management," Mr Clary, who studies the politics of South Asia, told the BBC.

An internal review of the airport's crisis management plans and its response will also be undertaken by former transport secretary Ruth Kelly, who is an independent member of Heathrow's board.

"In a situation like this, you need experience in terms of crisis management, you need negotiating skills."