"A technical fault led to an explosion in one of the units of this refinery," the report said, referring to the oil facility in the southwestern city of Abadan.

"The fire was immediately controlled The blast did not interrupt the president's programme," Fars added.

"Six people were injured as a result of the explosion and heavy smoke filled the air of the refinery and parts the city of Abadan," the report said.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011