Israel has launched significant airstrikes targeting oil storage facilities in and around Tehran, escalating the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The attacks, which occurred late Saturday, sent massive plumes of smoke into the night sky, illuminating the capital. This marks the first time Iran’s energy infrastructure has been directly targeted since the war began on February 28.
Witnesses described the scene in Tehran as “petrifying,” with flames engulfing oil depots and turning night into day. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the targeted facilities were used to operate military infrastructure. The Iranian National Iranian Oil Company confirmed the strikes, which hit several key locations including the Aghdasieh oil warehouse, the Tehran refinery, and the Shahran oil depot. At least four tanker drivers were reported killed in the attacks in Tehran and Alborz province.
The strikes on Iran’s energy sector come as Iran continues its retaliatory attacks across the region. On Sunday morning, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia reported intercepting multiple Iranian drones and missiles. Bahrain announced that a desalination plant sustained material damage from an Iranian drone attack, though water supplies remained unaffected. These incidents highlight the widening impact of the conflict, which has now entered its ninth day.
Since the joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran commenced on February 28, the conflict has resulted in significant casualties. Officials report over 1,300 deaths in Iran and approximately 300 in Lebanon. Israel has also seen casualties, with about a dozen people killed. The targeting of oil facilities is viewed by some analysts as a strategic move to cripple Iran’s military capabilities and potentially create a fuel crisis, though Iran maintains it has sufficient distribution networks.
US President Donald Trump has stated he is not interested in negotiating a ceasefire, asserting the war will only end when Iran’s leaders “cry uncle” or their military is incapacitated. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian offered apologies to Iran’s neighbors for the impact of retaliatory strikes, while also asserting Iran’s right to self-defense against the US-Israeli attacks. The ongoing hostilities continue to disrupt global markets and raise fears of further supply shortages.