According to reports from the Tasnim News Agency, the Iranian military issued an official communiqué stating that the operation was carried out in direct response to recent Israeli aerial bombardments of oil depots and energy infrastructure inside Iran.
Tit-for-tat energy warfare
The Iranian military characterized the operation as a retaliatory measure for the destruction of its own fuel reserves.
This escalation follows “Phase II” of the US-Israeli campaign, which saw the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) significantly expand their target list on March 7 to include Iranian oil production sites and storage facilities.
Since then, both nations have shifted their focus toward crippling each other’s energy infrastructure, a move that has already caused a sharp spike in global oil prices and prompted the closure of several gas fields in the Mediterranean.
Vow of continued hostilities
In its statement, the Iranian Army affirmed that its “battle with American criminals and the child-killing occupation entity” will persist until a “final victory” is achieved.
To substantiate its claims, the Iranian military released video footage purportedly showing the moments “suicide drones” impacted the oil and gas refinery and storage tanks in the northern port city.
Strategic impact on Haifa
While Haifa remains a primary industrial hub for Israel, the 197,000 barrel-per-day refinery had reportedly already shut down several units as a precautionary measure last week.
The region has become a high-risk zone for global markets; previous strikes on Haifa’s industrial sector during the 2025 conflict caused significant localized damage and served as a precursor to the wider regional energy disruptions now being seen in March 2026.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
