US-Israel airstrikes hit Iran's petrochemical hub; 5 injured
What's the story
United States-Israel airstrikes have reportedly targeted a key petrochemical hub in Mahshahr, Iran's southwestern Khuzestan province. The attacks have left at least five people injured, according to Iranian media reports. Deputy governor Valiollah Hayati confirmed that explosions were heard across the Special Petrochemical Zone, affecting at least three companies, namely, Abu Ali, Rijal, and Amir Kabir.
Evacuation and assessment
All industrial units in area evacuated
Following the strikes, all industrial units in the area have been evacuated as per a decision by the Petrochemical Special Economic Zone Emergency Committee. However, an accurate estimate of the explosion's location and extent of damage is still pending. Meanwhile, Mehr news agency reported that Bandar Imam Petrochemical Complex was also targeted in air attacks, with some sections sustaining damage.
Conflict escalation
Israel instructed to target economic assets in Iran
The strikes are a further escalation in the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Last week, The Times of Israel reported that Israel's political leadership had instructed the IDF to target "economic targets" in Iran to inflict massive financial damage. This comes amid diplomatic engagements between Washington and Tehran following joint US-Israel military strikes on Iran on February 28, which killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Retaliation and disruption
Iran retaliated by targeting US, Israeli assets
In retaliation for the February strikes, Tehran targeted Israel and US assets across several Gulf countries. This disrupted key waterways and impacted international energy markets. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been informed by Iran about a projectile striking near the Bushehr nuclear power plant. One staff member was killed by a projectile fragment, but no increase in radiation levels was reported.