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Israel has targeted Iran’s energy infrastructure in a major escalation that could unleash deep suffering for millions facing fuel and gas shortages.
According to Iran’s Ministry of Petroleum, Israeli missiles hit a gas sweetening unit at Phase 14 of the South Pars gas field and the vast Fajr Jam gas processing complex—both in southern Iran—as well as three major fuel storage depots in Tehran.
South Pars accounts for roughly 75% of Iran’s total natural gas output. The damaged facilities alone supply around 10% of the country’s gas consumption.
The full extent of the damage remains unclear, but Iranian media report serious harm to Fajr Jam’s gas intake and processing infrastructure. The plant, with a capacity of 50 million cubic meters per day, may have been forced offline.
The Petroleum Ministry also confirmed that 60% of Phase 14’s 20 million cubic meters-per-day output has been halted.
Israel had previously warned it would target Iran’s energy sector if Iranian forces struck Israeli civilians.
Tehran fuel depot also hit
Saturday’s strikes extended to Tehran, where Israeli forces reportedly hit the Shahran, Kan and Rey fuel depots—facilities that supply nearly all the capital’s gasoline and diesel.
Tehran’s total storage capacity is estimated at one billion liters, a quarter of Iran’s national fuel reserves.
A confidential Ministry of Petroleum document obtained by Iran International indicated that, as of late March, the country held 1.56 billion liters of gasoline and 1.28 billion liters of diesel in storage—barely enough for ten days of nationwide use.
Tehran alone consumes over 20 million liters of gasoline and 7.5 million liters of diesel per day.
With those storage hubs damaged, the capital now faces a looming fuel crisis, with more Israeli strikes likely on Iran’s energy infrastructure, as Iranian missiles hit targets in Israel.
So far, at least 14 Israeli civilians have been killed in Iranian attacks, while Iran’s health ministry has reported more than 200 killed.
Closing the Strait of Hormuz?
As strikes hit southern gas infrastructure, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that “spreading the war to the Persian Gulf could drag the entire world into conflict.” He gave no specifics, but lawmaker Esmail Kowsari said Tehran is considering closing the Strait of Hormuz.
Data provided to Iran International by commodity tracker Kpler shows Iran exported 2.2 million barrels of crude oil per day in the first 10 days of this month, and 1.8 million barrels daily on average last month—all through terminals in the Persian Gulf that rely on the strait.
Iran’s only alternative is the Jask terminal, inaugurated on the Sea of Oman in 2020. It was briefly used last October—amid fears of an Israeli strike—but averaged under 200,000 barrels per day and is currently inactive, according to TankerTrackers data.
Because Jask is over 1,000 kilometers from Iran’s main oil fields and has limited capacity, closing the strait would effectively halt Iran’s own oil exports.
The economic fallout wouldn’t stop there: according to Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization, 80% of Iran’s non-oil trade also passes through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
The partially developed Chabahar port—built with Indian assistance—handles less than 4% of the country’s total cargo throughput.
A spokesman for Iran’s health ministry, said Israeli attacks since Friday had killed 224 people and wounded 1,277.
"Sixty-five hours after the Zionist regime’s assault, the total number of casualties stands at 1,481, including the wounded and the dead," Hossein Kermanpour said on social media.
"Of these, 1,277 have been hospitalized in university medical centers across the country—over 90 percent of them civilians. So far, 522 people have been discharged, while 224 men, women, and children have been killed."
Israel continued its military campaign against Iran through the weekend and into Monday, launching new strikes across multiple cities, especially the capital Tehran, forcing residents to flee.
Here's a brief summary of major events and developments so far.
Israel escalates strikes, hits multiple cities
- Almost every neighborhood in Tehran was hit on Sunday, prompting a civilian exodus from the capital.
- Massive explosions were reported in Shahriar, Eslamshahr, and Vavan.
- Israeli warplanes struck missile depots and military infrastructure in western and northern Iran, triggering air defenses in Isfahan, Sanandaj, Ahvaz, Bandar Anzali, and other cities.
- Iranian intelligence and foreign ministry headquarters were hit, Mashhad saw large fires, and Tehran’s police command HQ was damaged.
- Tehran’s bazaar was shut down and major highways out of the capital experienced a surge in traffic as residents fled.
Iran strikes back with new missile barrage
- Iran launched another salvo of missiles early Sunday toward Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem.
- Seven Israelis were killed and more than 200 injured; a synagogue in southern Israel was also hit.
- Tehran warned any further support for Israel could trigger retaliatory action against other regional states.
Casualties mount on both sides
- Iran's health ministry said 224 Iranians have been killed since Friday, and more than 1200 injured - 90% civilians, the report said.
- Iran's missile attacks have killed at least 14 Israelis and wounded more than 200.
- Fourteen Iranian nuclear scientists have been killed since Friday, some in car bombings.
- Iranian officials confirmed some damage to Natanz and Fordow nuclear sites, but most core facilities remain intact.
Israel unveils psychological pressure plan
- Israeli PM Netanyahu confirmed the killing of IRGC intelligence chief Mohammad Kazemi and his deputy.
- Israel approved a strategy aimed at causing a mass civilian exodus from Tehran by targeting military-linked infrastructure.
- The IDF issued warnings to evacuate parts of the capital.
Khamenei under fire from within and abroad
- People in some parts of Tehran were heard chanting “Death to Dictator” and "Death to IRGC" during air defense activity at night time.
- Iran’s exiled crown prince accused Khamenei of hiding “like a rat” while civilians suffer.
- French President Macron ruled out Russia as a mediator in the conflict.
- IRGC general Mohsen Rezaei said Iran may cross its red lines and use “undisclosed tactics.”
Talks with US in jeopardy as blame mounts
- Iran signaled it may cancel upcoming nuclear talks, citing US complicity in Israeli attacks.
- Foreign Minister Araghchi told the EU that negotiations are “unjustifiable” under the circumstances.
- Iran has told mediators Qatar and Oman that it is not open to negotiating a ceasefire while under Israeli attack, Reuters reported.
- Tehran said it may target Persian Gulf bases if they assist Israeli operations.
Washington's role
- Trump said Sunday that Iran and Israel “may have to fight to the end” but expressed hope for a peaceful deal.
- Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Khamenei, Reuters said.
- The Pentagon is split: CENTCOM’s Gen. Kurilla wants more support for Israel, but policy chief Elbridge Colby resists diverting forces from Asia.
- Trump and Netanyahu both said regime change in Iran could be a result—but not the stated aim—of Israel’s actions.
Nuclear risk remains high, says IAEA
- IAEA chief Rafael Grossi told the UN that Israeli strikes caused serious damage at Natanz.
- No damage was observed at Fordow or the Khondab reactor, but concerns remain over potential radioactive release.
- EU and Pope Leo XIV issued fresh calls for nuclear restraint and return to diplomacy.
