Iranian Missile Strike Halts Operations at Israel's Largest Oil Refinery
Missile Attack Causes Major Disruption
Jerusalem, June 17: Bazan, the largest oil refinery in Israel, has announced a complete shutdown of its facilities at Haifa Port following damage from an Iranian missile strike.
The pre-dawn assault on Monday resulted in the deaths of three employees and ignited significant fires at the facility. Footage captured during the incident displayed flames, with firefighting crews still battling the blaze, as reported by a local news outlet.
According to a statement made to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, the power station that contributes to steam and electricity for the refinery suffered considerable damage, along with other facilities.
The company confirmed that all refinery operations and subsidiary facilities are currently inactive.
Bazan is in the process of evaluating the damage and its implications for future operations, as well as determining the best course of action.
This missile strike occurred during a four-day period of intense aerial conflict between Iran and Israel, which has resulted in at least 244 fatalities in Iran and 24 in Israel. The violence escalated following Israel's unexpected airstrikes on Iran last Friday.
On Monday, Iran executed another missile attack on Israel, leading to at least eight deaths and numerous injuries, according to Israeli officials, as the conflict intensified.
The missile strikes triggered air raid sirens throughout Israel, with black smoke billowing over Haifa, a key coastal city in northern Israel. Eyewitnesses reported hearing multiple explosions in both northern and central Israel.
Local officials confirmed casualties in various areas. In Petah Tikva, a city located east of Tel Aviv, four individuals lost their lives when a missile hit a residential building. Mayor Rami Greenberg reported that hundreds of residents from the damaged structure and three nearby buildings were evacuated. Images from the site revealed significant destruction to multi-story buildings and debris scattered across the area.