Egypt Daily News – In recent hours, Iran targeted Israel’s Haifa oil refinery with a hypersonic missile in a precise strike as part of the “True Promise 3” operation. This was in retaliation for a previous Israeli attack on Iranian military commanders and nuclear sites.
Israeli media reported that the targeted Haifa refinery, operated within the Bazan Chemicals complex, is the largest of its kind in Israel. It processes about 10 million tons of crude oil annually or around 200,000 barrels per day and supplies Europe with energy and petroleum products.
Located in the eastern industrial zone of Haifa in northern Israel, the refinery is one of the country’s oldest and most critical energy facilities. It is operated by Bazan Group and is part of the petrochemical industries complex in Haifa Bay. It plays a key role in refining crude oil and converting it into advanced petroleum products.
The refinery produces a wide range of outputs, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, lubricants, and petrochemicals, a large portion of which is exported to European markets—making it a strategically important regional target.
Haifa refinery is also known for its advanced facilities, including hydrocracking and chemical processing units, as well as extensive pipelines linking it to ports and distribution plants. Despite ongoing environmental controversies about its impact on city residents, the refinery remains a major source of national energy revenue for Israel.
According to a statement from Bazan, some internal pipelines in the complex sustained localized damage from the missile strike. Refining operations continued, although several units were shut down as a precaution. No casualties were reported.
On the other hand, Iran’s Mehr News Agency reported that flames were seen rising from the facility, noting fires and explosions following the missile strike. An official Iranian TV channel confirmed that the attack was carried out using a hypersonic missile, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing exchange of attacks.
Iranian forces continued to strike strategic targets in northern and central Israel in recent hours, including the ammonia plant at Haifa Port, a power station, and the Nevatim Airbase near Tel Aviv. According to Israel’s public broadcaster, the attacks resulted in 100 injuries and five deaths among civilians and military personnel.
British maritime security firm Ambrey stated that Haifa Port’s infrastructure was damaged by the missile strikes and confirmed large fires around the power station. Israeli authorities acknowledged that air defense systems failed to intercept at least ten missiles that struck Tel Aviv and Haifa.
Loud explosions were heard throughout parts of Jerusalem in recent hours. Emergency services declared a state of high alert, and Israel’s Home Front Command issued urgent instructions for residents to enter shelters and avoid sharing footage of strike sites on social media, warning that the enemy could use such footage to improve targeting accuracy.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that its recent strikes successfully disrupted Israel’s multi-layered defense systems using advanced military techniques. Iran’s Fars News Agency published a video showing the moment missiles were launched and hit their intended targets.
These Iranian strikes followed days of heavy Israeli escalation, including dozens of drone and missile attacks on Iranian territory. These targeted nuclear facilities in Natanz and Isfahan, government buildings in Tehran, and Mashhad Airport in the east, resulting in dozens of deaths, including senior IRGC commanders.
Iran’s Health Ministry stated in an official release that the Israeli attacks since Friday have killed 224 people and injured over 1,000—more than 90% of them civilians. Mehr News also reported the downing of an Israeli drone over Ilam Province in western Iran.
In response, the Israeli military said it had anticipated the Iranian retaliation and was monitoring the situation from the start. The military affirmed that Israel would respond forcefully to any threat to its national security. Initial assessments suggest that the Iranian strikes on energy infrastructure could negatively impact energy flows to Europe, especially given the strategic importance of the Haifa refinery, which serves as a key hub for fuel exports.
