Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Tuesday that it had launched attacks on the Jubail petrochemical complex in Saudi Arabia, a major hub for the country’s oil refining, distribution, and marketing sector. The strike is the latest demonstration of Tehran’s ability to retaliate against U.S. and Israeli attacks ahead of the U.S.-imposed deadline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran stated that the attack was in response to strikes on petrochemical plants in Asaluyeh, linked to the massive South Pars gas field, which reportedly experienced multiple explosions overnight. The attacks come as President Donald Trump had warned Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by the end of Tuesday or face strikes on civilian infrastructure, the most significant escalation of the conflict so far. Tehran warned it would target similar infrastructure across the Gulf. The closure of the strait has already caused a sharp rise in global energy prices.
The IRGC highlighted its capacity to strike targets in neighboring countries, effectively demonstrating control over the strait, a crucial conduit for approximately one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil supply. The strikes have inflicted both material and human losses on the United States and Israel, which initiated the conflict with attacks on Iran beginning February 28.
Jubail, a sprawling industrial city, hosts multi-billion-dollar joint ventures between state-backed Saudi Aramco and its subsidiary, SABIC, along with major Western energy companies. The IRGC claimed the attacks targeted the Sadara complex, a $20 billion joint venture between Aramco and Dow Chemical that had recently been shut down, and other facilities in Jubail, including sites associated with ExxonMobil.
The IRGC also reported striking a petrochemical facility in the nearby Al-Jaima area, allegedly linked to Chevron Phillips, though the company does not appear to have operations there.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense stated that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed seven ballistic missiles launched toward the eastern region of the country. Debris from the intercepted missiles reportedly fell near energy installations.
Saudi Aramco has declined to comment on the reported attacks in Jubail and Al-Jaima. The Saudi Government Communication Center and SABIC did not respond to requests for comment.
