Iranian Missile Strikes Israeli BAZAN Refinery, Killing 3

On June 17, an Iranian missile struck the BAZAN oil refinery in Israel, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, according to a report by an Israeli news outlet.

The Hebrew daily Israel Hayom reported that the missile hit the facility just before dawn, causing a major explosion. Three people who were inside a room at the refinery were trapped under debris and flames and later confirmed dead.

The report also mentioned significant damage to Israel’s energy infrastructure and lighting systems as a result of the strike.

In response, the BAZAN Group announced a complete shutdown of all its facilities, stating that operations would gradually resume over the next several months. The company has estimated financial losses between $150 million to $200 million due to the attack.

Context of the Escalation

The missile strike comes amid a wider military conflict that escalated following a series of Israeli air raids on Iran. Starting on June 13, Israel launched 12 consecutive days of aerial attacks targeting Iran's military, nuclear, and residential areas, marking a significant escalation in hostilities.

In retaliation, on June 22, the United States conducted strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites located in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan.

Following these developments, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force launched a counter-offensive named “True Promise-3”, carrying out 22 separate missile strikes across Israeli-occupied territories, inflicting widespread damage.

Additionally, in response to the U.S. strikes, Iranian armed forces fired multiple missiles at the Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East.

Ceasefire Agreement

A ceasefire was proposed by the United States the day after the missile strikes on its assets. The ceasefire came into effect on June 24, bringing a temporary halt to the hostilities.