Israel strikes petrochemical company in Iran's Khuzestan
Jerusalem, June 8
Israel on Monday morning carried out an airstrike against the Karun Petrochemical Company in Iran's southwestern Khuzestan province, state media reported.
Part of the petrochemical complex has sustained damage after being hit by the Israeli projectiles, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency cited Valiollah Hayati, Khuzestan's deputy governor for security affairs, as saying.
He added that no casualties have been reported so far.
Iran's Petrochemical Special Economic Zone Organisation said later in a statement that it had evacuated all employees in the port city of Bandar-e Mahshahr in Khuzestan, state-run IRIB news agency reported.
Also on Monday morning, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its aerospace forces targeted two "important and strategic" Israeli air bases, reports Xinhua news agency.
In a statement published on its official news outlet, Sepah News, the IRGC said the Nevatim and Tel Nof air bases were struck in response to Israel's missile strikes on several radar sites in three locations in Iran.
It added that all the IRGC's combat and operational units are fully ready to carry out operations on all fronts, with action plans tailored to the "enemy's" scenarios.
The clashes come as the IRGC's aerospace forces on Sunday launched ballistic missiles at the Ramat David air base in northern Israel in response to Israel's "widespread crimes" in southern Lebanon, including the killing and displacement of civilians.
In a statement on its official news outlet, Sepah News, the IRGC said that it struck Israel's Nevatim and Tel Nof airbases in response to Israel's missile strikes on a number of radar sites in three Iranian locations.
All its combat and operational units are fully ready to carry out operations on all fronts, the IRGC added.
Explosions were heard in Iran's capital, Tehran, and in two other provinces early Monday, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting the semi-official Fars news agency.
Citing local sources, the report said one explosion was heard west of Tehran, two in the central province of Isfahan, and one near Tabriz, the capital of the northwestern East Azarbaijan province.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is scary. Middle East already in turmoil, and now this. I hope India isn't dragged in—our energy supply from both sides is too important. Peace is the only solution.
Both sides need to stop. This tit-for-tat is only hurting civilians and destabilizing the region. India should call for an immediate ceasefire.
Why is everyone silent about this? These strikes are illegal under international law. The UN needs to act before this spirals into a full-blown war.
Both nations have a right to defend themselves, but this is reckless. Retaliation won't solve anything. I hope cooler heads prevail.
This is why India should reduce dependence on Middle East oil. We have friends in Russia and the US—time to diversify strategically. Also, very sad to see innocent workers evacuated.
As an Indian, I'm worried about our diaspora in both countries. Our government must work with both sides to ensure safety. Let's hope for global intervention.
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