Amid ongoing clashes and reciprocal attacks in the region, early Sunday, March 8, reports emerged of airstrikes targeting several fuel storage facilities in Tehran and Karaj. Images and videos published on social media and by some media outlets show that several oil depots in different areas were hit, leading to extensive fires at these facilities.
According to the received images, the Fardis oil depot in Karaj was targeted around 23:00 last night. The footage shows large flames and thick smoke rising into the sky from the site of the incident and spreading over a large part of the area. At the same time, other videos showing severe fires at the Shahran oil depot in western Tehran and the Aghdasieh oil depot in the Sohanak area at the end of Artesh Highway have also been published, indicating the scale of the damage at these fuel storage facilities.
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In this regard, the Israeli military announced in a statement that it had targeted several fuel storage complexes belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Tehran. The statement said the attacks were carried out with intelligence guidance and that these complexes had been used as fuel distribution centers for some military institutions of Iran’s regime. The Israeli military also stated that the operation was part of a new wave of attacks against the military infrastructure of Iran’s regime.
While the images released from Tehran and Karaj show widespread fires at fuel storage facilities, state-run media outlets have presented different narratives about the incident. The state-run Fars News Agency, quoting a source in the Oil Ministry, reported that three oil depots in the areas of Kouhak, Shahran, and Karaj were targeted by Israeli fighter jets. Meanwhile, the state-run ISNA news agency reported that an attack occurred around 22:20 last night near the Tehran refinery but said that “no damage has been inflicted on the refinery facilities and all refining units remain in operation.”
At the same time, a reporter from the regime’s state television news channel reported that due to the intensity of the fires around the Tehran refinery, it is currently not fully possible to conduct firefighting and rescue operations. Meanwhile, some domestic media outlets have reported that a fuel storage tank in southern Tehran was also targeted. As of the time of writing this report, no precise information has been released about the extent of the damage or possible casualties, and further details remain under review.
Escalation of political tensions
Alongside the developments on the ground, political tensions have also increased significantly. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Majlis (parliament) of Iran’s regime, stated: “As long as U.S. bases exist in the region, the countries of the region will not see peace.” Ali Larijani, a senior regime figure and former parliament speaker, also reacted to the recent developments, saying: “If regional countries provide bases to the United States, we will strike those bases.” He emphasized: “There is no disagreement in the fight against America and Israel, and we will not allow them to escape this predicament.”
Larijani also spoke about the possible consequences of the war, saying: “We have not closed the Strait of Hormuz, but no one can pass through it, and the consequences of this war will not be limited to Iran.” He added: “We had already told the Europeans that if they participate in the war, we will inevitably confront them. We are not seeking to expand the war, but if they assist in it, we will have no choice but to retaliate.”
At the regional level, reactions to the recent developments have also emerged. Nawaf Salam, the Prime Minister of Lebanon, stated: “We will not allow Lebanon’s fate to be tied to the interests of Iran’s regime.” The U.S. State Department also condemned a drone attack by Iran’s regime on the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Meanwhile, Sean Parnell, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, said confusion within Iran’s military is intensifying. The Israeli military also announced that 16 aircraft belonging to the IRGC’s Quds Force were targeted during the recent attacks.
International reports have also indicated growing concern about the expansion of the conflict. Reuters reported that more than 150 Iranian nationals, including diplomats and their families, left Lebanon on Saturday.
