Tehran erupted in retaliation on Saturday night as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a precision missile strike on a key refinery in Israel’s Haifa port. This bold counteroffensive came swiftly after devastating US-Israel joint strikes crippled Iran’s energy infrastructure.
The IRGC confirmed the attack via its Sepah News outlet, detailing the use of advanced Kheibar Shekan missiles to target the facility. The operation was a direct response to Saturday’s barrage that hit oil depots in Tehran and Alborz provinces, igniting massive fires that firefighters are still battling.
Explosions rocked the Iranian capital late Saturday, with residents reporting thunderous blasts across multiple districts. Official statements from Iran’s National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company revealed severe damage to critical energy assets, underscoring the escalating shadow war in the Middle East.
This latest exchange traces back to February 28, when US and Israeli forces conducted coordinated assaults on Tehran and other cities, claiming high-profile casualties including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s family members and top military commanders. Iran hit back with missile and drone swarms on Israeli and US bases across the region.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani condemned the attacks as a ploy to fracture the nation, urging US President Donald Trump to admit his miscalculation and betrayal by Israel. ‘They’ve wounded our people’s hearts deeply, and we won’t forget,’ Larijani declared.
In a separate development, Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi disclosed ongoing communications with Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. Riyadh has assured Tehran that its territory, airspace, and waters will not be used against Iran, signaling potential regional realignments amid the crisis.
As tensions simmer, the strikes highlight the fragile balance in the Middle East, with energy facilities emerging as prime battlegrounds. Global markets watch anxiously for ripples in oil supplies, while diplomatic channels strain under the weight of mutual accusations.