TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the military has launched a major attack on Iran's largest petrochemical facility in Asaluyeh on Monday, April 6.
In a video statement, Katz said, "The military just carried out a powerful strike on Iran's largest petrochemical facility, located in Asaluyeh - a central target responsible for about 50 percent of the country's petrochemical production."
According to The New Arab report, the complex is located in the Pars region and supports the South Pars gas field, the world's largest joint natural gas reserve owned by Iran and Qatar. The facility had previously been targeted by an Israeli attack last month.
Meanwhile, as reported by TRT World, Iranian media such as the Fars news agency reported an explosion at the site after the attack. The attack struck a number of facilities in Asaluyeh, including the Jam and Damavand plants.
Impact and On-Site Conditions
The National Petrochemical Company of Iran announced that the fire at the Pars location has been contained and that there were no casualties. The statement mentioned, "The situation is currently under control, and technical aspects, as well as the extent of the damage, are under investigation."
Katz claimed that the attack had a significant impact on Iran's exports. He said, "At this point, the two facilities, which together account for roughly 85 percent of Iran's petrochemical exports, have been taken out of operation and are no longer functioning." He also referred to it as a severe economic blow.
On the same day, local authorities in Iran also reported another attack that hit a petrochemical complex in Marvdasht, as reported by the Fars news agency. A fire had occurred but was successfully controlled.
Consecutive Attacks and Escalation of Conflict
Previously, Israel also attacked the Mahshahr Petrochemical Special Zone in Khuzestan Province on Saturday. According to local Iranian officials, the attack resulted in the death of five people.
Iran had previously retaliated to these attacks by targeting energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. The Iranian military command even threatened to carry out a "total destruction" of energy infrastructure in the Gulf region if Israel's attacks continued.
Israeli military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani stated that the conflict continues amid ongoing negotiations. He said, "The war is ongoing as talks are going." He added that Iran employs a delaying strategy through negotiations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously stated that Israel's attacks had destroyed about 70 percent of Iran's steel production capacity, which is crucial for military production such as missiles and drones.
Katz emphasized that he and Netanyahu had instructed the military to continue to attack Iran's national infrastructure with full force. On the other hand, Iran was reported to target industrial facilities in Israel, including an oil refinery in the city of Haifa.
Read: Iran Says Response Prepared for US' 15-Point Ceasefire Proposal
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Displaced in Lebanon: 'Lives Turned Upside Down'
1 jam lalu
Over 1.1 million Lebanese have fled their homes due to fighting in the south of the country and Israeli bombing of Beirut's suburbs.
Iran Says Response Prepared for US' 15-Point Ceasefire Proposal
4 jam lalu
Iran said the details of the response to the ceasefire plan will be disclosed when appropriate.
BoP Urges Hamas to Finalize Gaza Demilitarization Plan This Week
7 jam lalu
Source reported that the U.S. wants Hamas to disarm and disclose Gaza's tunnel network, with talks in Egypt aimed at sealing a deal this week.
US-Israeli Strikes on Iran Kill 34, Including 6 Children
9 jam lalu
US-Israeli airstrikes in Iran kill 34 people, hitting Sharif University and residential areas as the April 7 deadline for the Strait of Hormuz passes.
IRGC Intelligence Chief Killed in US-Israel Attack
9 jam lalu
The head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intelligence organization in Iran, Majid Khademi, killed in US-Israel attack.
Top Iranian Intelligence Official Killed in Israeli Strikes
1 hari lalu
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz later confirmed that Israel had targeted Majid Khademi, the intelligence chief of IRGC.
What Is Bab el-Mandeb Strait? Why Iran Threatens to Block the Route?
1 hari lalu
As tensions continue to rise in the U.S.-Israel and Iran conflict, Tehran has signaled a potential blockade of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Ex-President SBY: Indonesian UN Troops Now in Lebanon War Zone, Not Blue Zone
1 hari lalu
Ex-Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) urges UN peacekeeping forces to remain in blue zone as the area separating Israel & Lebanon.
Syria Closes Main Border with Lebanon
1 hari lalu
The Syrian authority has declared that its team will temporarily close a major border crossing with Lebanon due to Israeli threat
At Easter Vigil, Pope Leo XIV Calls for Peace Amid Global Conflicts
2 hari lalu
Pope Leo XIV called for the Easter celebrations to provide momentum for bringing harmony and peace to a conflict-ridden world.
