Israeli Airstrikes Ignite Massive Fires at Tehran Oil Depots
Large fires and thick black smoke engulfed parts of Tehran Saturday night after Israeli airstrikes targeted multiple fuel depots and energy facilities in and around the Iranian capital, according to media reports and officials.
Footage shared on social media showed flames lighting up the night sky as powerful explosions struck oil storage sites, including the Shahran depot, one of the major fuel storage facilities in Tehran.
In several videos, flaming oil could be seen flowing through storm drains along city streets after the strikes.
Reports from the Iranian opposition indicated that up to 30 sites may have been targeted. According to Iranian officials, at least four people were killed in the attacks, including two tanker drivers. Emergency crews worked through the night to contain the fire.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed its recent strikes targeted fuel depots, which it said are connected to Iran’s military infrastructure.
“Guided by IDF intelligence, the IAF struck these complexes, where the Iranian terrorist regime would distribute fuel to multiple military entities in Iran. The strike significantly deepens the damage to the military infrastructure of the Iranian terrorist regime,” the IDF said in a post on X.
Axios reported that although Israel informed the U.S. about its operation, its strikes on Iranian fuel depots went beyond U.S. expectations, triggering the first major dispute between the allies since the war began eight days ago.
According to Axios, U.S. officials are concerned that Israeli strikes on infrastructure serving ordinary Iranians could boost public support for the regime and push global oil prices higher.
“The president doesn’t like the attack. He wants to save the oil. He doesn’t want to burn it. And it reminds people of higher gas prices,” a Trump adviser told the news outlet.
The White House and the IDF did not comment on the report.
According to the Associated Press, oil prices topped $100 per barrel on Sunday for the first time in more than three and a half years.
The international benchmark Brent crude traded at $107.97 per barrel, up 16.5% from its Friday close of $92.69. West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. light, sweet crude, was priced at about $106.22 per barrel, 16.9% higher than Friday’s $90.90 close.
The spokesman for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters, which oversees the country’s military operations, warned Saturday that if attacks on Iran’s oil infrastructure continue, Tehran may respond with similar strikes across the region.
He added that Iran has not targeted regional fuel and energy infrastructure so far and threatened that if it does, oil prices could hit $200 a barrel.
