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New York Times
4 hours ago
- Business
- New York Times
Two Major Energy Facilities in Tehran Hit in Israeli Strikes
Iran's latest wave of attacks on Israel took out Tehran's main gas depot and its central oil refinery in separate parts of the capital, engulfing its sky in smoke and flame early Sunday. The Shahran fuel and gasoline depot, which has at least 11 storage tanks, was hit and set afire during the Israeli attack that began on Saturday night, Iran's oil ministry said in a statement. Shahran is in an affluent neighborhood of luxury high rises. 'The fire is terrifying, it's massive; there is a lot of commotion here,' said Mostafa Shams, a resident of the area. 'It's the gasoline depots that are exploding one after another, it's loud and scary.' Separately in the city's south, Shahr Rey, one of the country's largest oil refineries, was also struck, according to Iranian state news media. Emergency crews were trying to contain the fire, and a resident of Tehran, Reza Salehi, said he could see the flames from miles away. Israel's targeting of Iran's energy facilities, a crucial source of export cash for the country as well as of domestic energy, represented a significant escalation in its military campaign against Tehran. Earlier on Saturday, Israel had struck two key Iranian energy sites, including a section of the South Pars Gas Field, which is one of the world's largest and critical to Iran's energy production. 'We have entered the second phase of the war, which is extremely dangerous and destructive,' Abdollah Babakhani, an expert on Iran's energy sector based in Germany, said on Saturday. But the multiple massive explosions targeting energy and fuel targets in and around the capital spread fear among residents. Israeli warplanes also struck sites in Tehran related to Iran's nuclear program, including experimental laboratories, according to two Israeli defense officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share sensitive operational details. Hamid Hosseini, a member of the energy committee of Iran's Chamber of Commerce, said Iran's municipality had been discussing moving the Shahran fuel depot from the residential area in northern Tehran for years, fearing an attack or an accident could be catastrophic. The attack on the depot set off massive explosions, according to an official at the oil ministry, who said the depots were exploding one after another and threatened to significantly damage residential neighborhoods in the area. The depot has about 8 million liters per day of gasoline entering its storage tanks and has a capacity to hold about three full days of fuel needs for Tehran, according to the ministry official. Israel did not immediately respond to request for comment on the strike.
The Sun
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Israel v Iran LIVE: Iran fires barrage of missiles at Israel as IDF strikes oil depot and says ‘Tehran is burning'
IRAN has reportedly launched over 100 missiles at Israel in the latest round of intense strikes in the Middle East. The Israeli military quickly responded to the deadly barrage by striking Iranian oil depots - as officials said Tehran was left up in flames. 6 6 6 6 Iran struck first in the second night of strikes with explosions reported across residential regions in the country. Haifa and Tel Aviv were said to be the main targets with air raid sirens also been sounded in Amman, the capital of Jordan. Around 100 missiles are said to have been launched in Iran's follow-up wave of their operation "True Promise 3", according to state TV. Several injures have been reported with a woman in her 20s killed in Western Galilee. The Israeli military responded by carrying out air strikes in Tehran while they worked to intercept the Iranian missiles. Israeli planes attacked four targets in Tehran with the Ministry of Defense, the nuclear headquarters, nuclear laboratories, and oil facilities all hit. Footage online shows the Shahran oil depot up in flames after a pinpoint strike. It comes as Tehran vowed to strike US, UK and French military bases in the region if they step in to try and defend Israel. Israel's allies across the world have in the past helped Tel Aviv shoot down missiles fired from Iran during previous clashes between the two enemy powers. But as the situation escalates towards full-scale war - Iranian state media reported they consider US, UK and French forces the firing line. It warned Tehran would target military bases and ships located in the region if the three countries provided support to Israeli. It came as Israel's defence minister vowed "Tehran will burn" after Iran launched hundreds of missiles toward them. At least three people were killed and dozens more wounded in the first night of strikes on Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on Friday - while Israel continued to pound targets in Iran. Both sides sit on the brink of war after Israel accused Iran of trying to develop a nuclear bomb - launching a massive wave of pre-emptive strikes on Friday. Israel killed top military leaders, nuclear scientists and blasted secretive sites believed to be being used by Iran to develop nuclear weapons. Defence minister Israel Katz said Iran"crossed red lines after it dared to attack the civilian population" and will now "pay a heavy price for it". He added: "If Khamenei continues to fire missiles at the Israeli home front, Tehran will burn." Reports emerged that Israel's version of the Pentagon - the HaKirya - had been hit, though these were not confirmed. Tehran branded the retaliatory strikes as a "punishment" attack on Israel. Both sides have warned more is yet to come, with Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowing to inflict "heavy blows". He said his armed forces will bring the "vile regime [Israel] to ruin". Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Iran that "more is on the way" and warned "the regime does not know what will hit them". 6 6 Stay up to date with the latest on Israel vs Iran with The Sun's live blog below... just now By Georgie English 1 dead after Iranian attacks A woman in her 20s has been killed following Iran's strikes, Israel's emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA) has said. The woman was pulled from the rubble of a two-storey house in Western Galilee. Thirteen others were injured with seven people being taken to hospital, MDA added. 2 minutes ago By Georgie English Benjamin Netanyahu chairs meeting with security cabinet following Iran's strikes By Georgie English Iran will not go back to negotiating table - president warns Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ignored calls from France's Emmanuel Macron to return to the negotiating table amid a looming war with Israel. Pezeshkian says Iran will never sit at the negotiating table while Israel continues to attack. Today, 20:20 By Georgie English RAF jets to be sent to the Middle East RAF fighter jets to be scrambled to Middle East as Israel-Iran conflict spirals and Tehran threatens to strike UK bases Today, 19:55 By Georgie English 'Violent and destructive' Iranian attacks to come Iranian State TV has announced a harrowing prediction warning of "violent and destructive attacks" on Israel within hours. The loved ones of Israeli government ministers have reportedly been evacuated to secret locations amid the threats, say Israeli Channel 13. Today, 19:44 By Georgie English 31 killed in Iranian province in strikes - governor The governor of Iran's north-western East Azerbaijan province has said 31 people have died in the region amid the fighting with Israel. This number includes 30 military personnel and one member of the Iranian Red Crescent. Bahram Sarmast added 55 people have been injured so far. Iran is yet to release an official number of casualties. Today, 19:05 By Georgie English Decimated remains of Ramat Gan, Israel after an Iranian strike
The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Israeli Navy intercepting UAVs launched from Iran by missile boats
Footage released by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shows its navy intercepting drones launched by Iran on Friday (13 June). The IDF claimed missile boats managed to successfully shoot down unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched by Tehran over Mediterranean waters in retaliation for Israeli overnight strikes. Israel said 200 fighter jets took part in attacks on more than 100 targets as part of Operation 'Rising Lion', a campaign targeting Iran's nuclear program and military leaders. Iranian state media has said that 78 people have been killed and 329 injured in the strikes, though official Iranian and Israeli channels have not yet given a figure. Iran has since launched a retaliatory attack against Israel using ballistic missiles against 'dozens of targets, military centres and airbases'. Local media has reported that seven people have been lightly injured.
The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Mossad video shows covert Israeli agents launching missiles from inside Iran
Mossad, Israel 's spy agency, has released footage allegedly showing Israeli covert agents inside Iran deploying missiles as part of an overnight strike against Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Israel said 200 fighter jets took part in strikes on more than 100 targets as part of Operation 'Rising Lion' on Friday (13 June), a campaign targeting Iran's nuclear program and military leaders. The black-and-white footage appears to show two agents with some kind of launcher, whilst a later clip shows what Mossad said was an attack on an Iranian defence system. Iranian state media has said that 78 people have been killed and 329 injured in the strikes, though official Iranian and Israeli channels have not yet given a figure.
The National
2 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Israel strikes Iran: what we know
Israel attacked Iranian nuclear sites on Friday in a bombing spree that threatens to spark a regional war. Multiple sites around the country were hit, including Iran 's main nuclear enrichment facility in the central city of Natanz. Here's what we know so far about the strikes: Where was hit? Multiple locations in Tehran were struck, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying both nuclear and military sites were targeted. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that an Israeli strike hit Iran's uranium enrichment facility at Natanz and said it was "closely monitoring" radiation levels. "The agency is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels. We are also in contact with our inspectors in the country," IAEA head Rafael Grossi said. The Natanz facility, located about 220 kilometres southeast of Tehran, is the country's main enrichment site. Part of the facility on Iran's Central Plateau is underground to defend against potential air strikes. It operates multiple cascades, or groups of centrifuges working together to more quickly enrich uranium. Iranian state media said residential buildings in Tehran were hit as well, killing a number of civilians including women and children. Air traffic was halted at Tehran's main international airport Imam Khomeini, while neighbouring Iraq closed its air space and suspended all flights at all airports, state media reported. Israel's main airport was also closed. Who was killed? The leader of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, General Hossein Salami, was confirmed dead, Iranian state television reported, a body blow to Tehran's governing theocracy and an immediate escalation of the long-simmering conflict between Israel and Iran. Top military officials and scientists were also believed killed. Also targeted were officials leading Iran's nuclear programme and its ballistic missile arsenal. The IRGC vowed revenge for General Salami's death. The attacks "will not remain unanswered and [Israel] must await harsh and regrettable revenge", it said in a statement read on state TV. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a statement carried by the state-run Irna news agency, confirming that top military officials and scientists had been killed. Israel 'opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to a crime in our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centres', he said. How did Israel carry out the attacks? The strikes appear to be the most significant attack Iran has faced since its 1980s war with Iraq. They pushed the Israeli military to its limits, requiring the use of ageing air-to-air refuellers to get its fighter jets close enough to attack. It was not immediately clear if Israeli jets entered Iranian air space or just fired so-called 'standoff missiles' from over another country. Israeli military spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said more than 200 Israeli air force aircraft were involved in the strikes, with fighter jets dropping over 330 munitions. People in Iraq reported hearing fighter jets overhead at the time of the attack. Israel has previously attacked Iran from over the border in Iraq. The potential for an attack had been apparent for weeks as angst built over Iran's nuclear programme. Israeli leaders cast the preemptive assault as a fight for the nation's survival that was necessary to head off an imminent threat that Iran would build nuclear bombs, though it remains unclear how close the country is to achieving that. 'It could be a year. It could be within a few months," Mr Netanyahu said as he vowed to pursue Israel's attacks for as long as necessary to 'remove this threat'. "This is a clear and present danger to Israel's very survival,' he said. What has been the reaction? Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei warned that 'severe punishment' would be directed at Israel. Israel 'opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to a crime in our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centres,' he said. In Washington, the Trump administration, which had cautioned Israel against an attack during negotiations with Tehran over the nuclear enrichment programme, said that it had not been involved and warned against any retaliation targeting US interests or personnel. 'As long as I think there is a (chance for an) agreement, I don't want them going in because I think it would blow it,' Trump had told reporters. Mr Trump on Thursday had said he did not believe an attack was imminent but also acknowledged that it 'could very well happen'. As tensions rose, the US pulled some diplomats from Iraq's capital and offered voluntary evacuations for the families of US troops in the wider Middle East. Once the attacks were underway, the US embassy in Jerusalem issued an alert telling American government workers and their families to shelter in place until further notice. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel took 'unilateral action against Iran' and that Israel advised the US that it believed the strikes were necessary for its self-defence. 'We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,' Mr Rubio said in a statement released by the White House. Mr Trump is scheduled to attend a meeting of his National Security Council on Friday, when he is expected to discuss the conflict with top advisers. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that in the aftermath of the strikes, 'missile and drone attacks against Israel and its civilian population are expected immediately.' 'It is essential to listen to instructions from the home front command and authorities to stay in protected areas,' he said.
