Explosion happens in Iran's Goreh-Jask oil pipeline, longest in Gulf region

An explosion has occurred in an Iranian oil pipeline, the longest in the Gulf region, local media reported.

The explosion in the Goreh-Jask pipeline took place in the village of Keshar in the port of Khamir, the Iranian state-owned Young Journalists Club news agency reported, saying the fire was ongoing.

An Iranian police source in the Keshar area of the port told the official IRNA news agency the the explosion happened at 04:40 am local time on Monday.

A car near the site of the explosion site caught fire but the intensity of the flames prevented anyone from approaching to search for potential victims inside, the source added.

The Goreh-Jask pipeline, with a length of 1,000 kilometres (620 miles), is the longest in the Gulf region.

It transports Iranian oil from the Goreh area in Bushehr province to the port of Jask.

Iran launched the pipeline, which also transports gas condensates, around two years ago.

Tehran can export oil and condensates through the Jask area without needing to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a vitally important chokepoint between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.