Israeli strikes hit Iranian oil facilities in Tehran, 4 tanker drivers killed
The Israeli army said it "began a new wave of strikes targeting Iran's infrastructure in the capital" and described the operation as a "significant strike" aimed at "dismantling the military infrastructure of the government"
Highlights:
- Israel strikes Tehran-area oil storage and refining facilities
- First attacks on Iran's energy infrastructure in ongoing conflict
- Israel says facilities supported Iran's armed forces operations
- Multiple depots hit, fires and smoke spread across Tehran
- Iran says fuel supply secure despite attacks
- Iran launches retaliatory missile strike toward Israel's Haifa refinery
Israel struck oil storage and refining facilities in and around Tehran on Saturday evening, targeting Iran's energy infrastructure for the first time since the start of a broader bombing campaign by the United States and Israel, Iranian media and officials said.
The Israeli army said it "began a new wave of strikes targeting Iran's infrastructure in the capital" and described the operation as a "significant strike" aimed at "dismantling the military infrastructure of the government".
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Iran's Ministry of Oil said "multiple oil storage depots in the provinces of Tehran and Alborz had been targeted," says the New York Times.
Warplanes hit oil storage depots and refining facilities in the capital and neighbouring Alborz province, triggering fires and plumes of smoke visible across parts of the city.
Among the sites struck were four oil storage facilities and a petroleum products transfer centre, including the Tehran refinery in the southern Shahr Rey district, the Shahran oil depot in northwestern Tehran and a depot in Karaj, says Anadolu Ajansi.
The Israeli military said the fuel storage and energy complexes "were being used by Iran's armed forces".
Iranian reports said at least four tanker drivers were killed in the strikes.
The explosions sparked fires that required firefighting operations to contain. Iran's Fars news agency said "there is no shortage of fuel distribution" and that security forces "are currently engaged in firefighting operations".
Iran's Oil Ministry said the attacks would not disrupt supplies, stating "there would be no fuel or energy shortages because the ministry had taken precautions, anticipating strikes on its facilities".
The strikes mark a shift in the conflict. Previous operations had focused largely on Iran's leadership, security services and missile production capabilities.
Iran responded after the refinery strike, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launching retaliatory attacks that reportedly included a missile strike on the Haifa refinery in Israel, according to Iranian media.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had "a plan full of surprises" for Iran.
Residents in Tehran said the attacks had heightened fears as the conflict spreads to infrastructure located near residential areas.
"It's getting to a point where we feel no place is safe, and even the roads leading in and out of the city are dangerous because targets around them are attacked," said Amir, a businessman who fled Tehran with his family.
"We are very, very scared. I want the war to end, immediately," said Shirin, a 36-year-old dentist living in Tehran.
