In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Israel has conducted airstrikes on Iran’s key petrochemical infrastructure, targeting what officials describe as the country’s largest petrochemical facility. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the operation, stating that it has taken a large portion of Iran’s petrochemical production offline and inflicted a major economic setback on the regime.
According to Katz, the Israeli Air Force carried out a “powerful strike” on Iran’s largest petrochemical complex, located in the Asaluyeh area (also associated with the South Pars gas field in Bushehr Province), which accounts for roughly 50% of the country’s petrochemical production. He added that two major facilities, together responsible for about 85% of Iran’s petrochemical exports, have been paralyzed and are no longer functioning.
The strikes also hit the sprawling Mahshahr Petrochemical Special Economic Zone in Khuzestan Province, southwestern Iran—one of the largest such complexes in the country. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, described the targets as central to producing chemical materials used in explosives, ballistic missiles, and other weaponry. Netanyahu linked the attack to prior strikes that destroyed around 70% of Iran’s steel production capacity, calling both industries the regime’s “money machine” that funds its proxy wars and terrorism.
Details of the Strikes
The Israeli military said the operation, based on IDF intelligence, targeted utility infrastructure such as power and gas supplies that support dozens of petrochemical plants. This effectively shut down production across the Mahshahr site, according to reports citing Iranian oil ministry officials.
Iranian state media and officials reported multiple explosions, fires, and thick black smoke rising over the affected areas. Some accounts mentioned injuries or a small number of fatalities, with facilities like Fajr-1, Fajr-2, and others in the Mahshahr zone impacted. The complex was evacuated following the attacks.
Katz emphasized that the petrochemical sector generates billions for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and directly supports Iran’s missile program. He vowed that Iran would “pay painful prices” and face escalating costs as long as it continues launching missiles at Israel.
Broader Context and Impact
The strikes come amid heightened tensions in the 2026 Iran-Israel conflict. Israel has signaled it will continue targeting infrastructure that sustains Iran’s military capabilities and economy. Iranian officials have condemned the attacks as assaults on civilian economic assets, warning of severe repercussions for the country’s already strained economy and the livelihoods of its people.
Analysts note that disrupting petrochemical and steel production could cost Iran tens of billions of dollars in lost revenue, further isolating the regime economically. Petrochemicals are a vital export sector for Iran, helping it circumvent some sanctions.
This development follows a pattern of Israeli operations aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to produce and fund advanced weaponry. Both sides have traded strikes in recent weeks, with the conflict drawing in regional and international concerns over energy security, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz and global oil markets.
The full extent of the damage and long-term operational downtime remains under assessment, but Israeli statements indicate a deliberate and substantial degradation of Iran’s industrial war-supporting capacity.
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