The Iranian capital, Tehran, and its surroundings witnessed a series of violent air raids at dawn on Sunday, targeting energy infrastructure. The strikes hit four main oil depots, in addition to a vital logistics center used for the transportation and distribution of petroleum derivatives, causing widespread destruction at the targeted sites.
The National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company announced the death of four of its personnel as a result of these attacks, including two drivers who were at the scene. The company's general administration confirmed that the targeting was concentrated in the Tehran and Alborz regions, which necessitated a decision to temporarily suspend fuel distribution in the capital to assess the damage and ensure safety.
Official sources reported that firefighting and civil defense teams made strenuous efforts to control the massive fires that broke out in the storage tanks. Despite the extent of the damage to the facilities, Iranian officials reassured citizens that there are sufficient strategic fuel reserves to cover local needs in the coming period.
A thick black cloud covered the sky of the capital, Tehran, as a result of the smoke rising from the burning oil facilities, which raised significant environmental and health concerns. Local residents reported the spread of strong burning odors in various parts of the city since the early morning hours as a result of successive explosions.
The Iranian Red Crescent issued a warning statement confirming the emission of huge quantities of toxic gases, including nitrogen and sulfur oxides, due to the burning of hydrocarbons. The organization warned of the danger of rain in the coming hours, as it will be highly acidic and may cause skin burns and severe respiratory damage.
Coinciding with the strikes on the capital, Isfahan province in the center of the country was subjected to widespread attacks that included eight different cities. Field sources confirmed that the bombing targeted industrial facilities and civilian sites, including an equestrian club, reflecting the expansion of the circle of targets in this wave of military escalation.
Health authorities in Isfahan recorded an initial death toll of 11 as a result of the raids that targeted the provincial center and surrounding cities. Rescue teams are working to remove debris at the affected sites, with expectations of a rise in the number of victims due to the intensity of the explosions that rocked the region.
Military operations extended to include areas in southern Iran and along the northwestern border strip all the way to the southwest. Sources reported that the raids were coordinated and targeted strategic and vital points, indicating a new phase of direct confrontation in the region.
Qeshm Island, located in southern Iran, was directly targeted, hitting a desalination plant, which led to its complete shutdown. This attack caused an interruption in the supply of potable water to several villages on the island, exacerbating the suffering of local residents under the current circumstances.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned of the repercussions of the continuation of these attacks on the global and regional energy sector. In his statements, he indicated that the continuation of military operations may impose a new reality that leads to the cessation of Iranian oil production and export, which threatens the stability of international markets.
These rapid developments come in the context of what observers describe as an 'energy war' that has begun to emerge in the region, with increasing threats to international shipping lanes and the Strait of Hormuz. These strikes reflect a qualitative shift in the nature of the chosen targets, as vital and service facilities have become at the heart of the military confrontation.
The continuation of the war may lead to a halt in the sale of Iranian oil and a complete disruption of its production.
شارك برأيك
Air strikes target oil facilities in Tehran and Isfahan, halting fuel distribution