Isreal strikes Iran oil facilities in Tehran

Heavy plumes of smoke blanketed parts of Tehran after Israeli air strikes hit Iranian oil facilities for the first time since the war began, leaving at least four people de.ad

The joint military campaign by Israel and the United States entered its ninth day on Sunday. Officials say more than 1,300 people have been killed in Iran and around 300 in Lebanon, while roughly a dozen fatalities have been recorded in Israel.

According to Iran’s Fars news agency, the strikes on Saturday triggered massive fires after four oil storage sites and a production transfer centre were bombed in Tehran and neighbouring Alborz province. Iranian state media described the incident as “an attack from the US and the Zionist regime”.

Facilities reportedly hit include the Aghdasieh oil warehouse in northeast Tehran, the Tehran refinery in the southern part of the city, the Shahran oil depot in western Tehran, and another depot located in Karaj. Witnesses said oil spilled from the Shahran depot and flowed onto nearby streets following the explosion.

Fars reported that at least four tanker drivers lost their lives during the attacks in Tehran and Alborz. Authorities said fuel supply across the country remains stable while security personnel continue efforts to extinguish the fires.

Israel confirmed carrying out the operation, stating that “a number of fuel storage facilities in Tehran” were targeted because they were allegedly used “to operate military infrastructure”.

“This is not the first time. Back in June, during the 12-day war, we saw fuel depots being targeted, but this is unprecedented,” Asadi said. “We are dealing with a critical situation in terms of war and environmental circumstances in the capital.”

He said he noticed black droplets falling on his windows early Sunday morning, raising fears of dangerous air pollution.

“There is a high risk of being surrounded by toxic air.”

Asadi also expressed worry about the growing number of civilian casualties.

“Three days ago, the tally was at about 1,300, but we know that in the past days, intensive strikes targeting Iranian territory have continued, so it’s likely that the number has gone up.”

Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera correspondent Mohamed Vall said the strikes on oil infrastructure could be part of a psychological strategy aimed at intimidating the Iranian population.

“The Israelis are probably planning to cause a situation of crisis in terms of fuel in Iran, and Iranians will consider this as an act of aggression and terrorism,” Vall said.

He added that limiting the movement of Iranian troops may also be part of the objective. However, he noted that Iran has numerous oil facilities across the country, meaning the attack may not necessarily trigger a nationwide fuel crisis.

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