On Tuesday evening, August 4, 2020, around 6:07 p.m. local time, a massive explosion rocked the Port of Beirut, Lebanon. The blast was sparked when a fire in a warehouse ignited roughly 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate—an unstable chemical stored at the dock for six years despite repeated safety warnings. The blast released energy comparable to about 1,100 tons of TNT, creating a shockwave that roared through the city at the speed of sound. It obliterated large portions of the port, sank vessels,

Thirty-six years ago a tragedy occurred that echoes today. Iran, the world's top sponsor of terrorism, still supports groups that pursue power at the expense of innocent lives. We honor the lives lost in the Beirut barracks bombings as we continue to work for peace in the region. | U.S. Department of State