Azernews.Az

Amid ongoing military airstrikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, key economic and energy facilities in the country’s southwestern Khuzestan province have come under attack, further escalating tensions in the region, AzerNEWS reports.

According to local authorities, multiple petrochemical facilities in Mahshahr district—including the Fajr, Rejal, and Amir Kabir complexes—were struck by missile fire. Valiollah Hayati, deputy governor of Khuzestan province, stated that at least three missiles hit the sites, triggering several explosions.

At least five people were reported injured in the attacks, while casualties could rise as emergency responders continue operations. Firefighters and rescue teams have been deployed to contain the damage.

In a separate incident on the same day, the Shalamcheh border trade terminal in the Khorramshahr district was also targeted. Officials confirmed that the facility sustained significant damage, though no immediate reports of casualties were released.

The strikes come as part of a broader military campaign launched on February 28 by the United States and Israel against Iran. The White House has justified the operation as a response to missile and nuclear threats originating from the Islamic Republic.

The conflict has already resulted in significant losses at the highest levels of Iran’s leadership. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several other senior figures have reportedly been killed in the strikes.

In response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has announced a large-scale retaliatory operation against Israel. Iran has also launched ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones targeting U.S. military assets across the region, including bases in Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Syria.

The escalating conflict is placing critical regional infrastructure at risk, particularly in the energy and maritime sectors. Security tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have intensified, driving a sharp rise in global oil prices.

Iran continues to assert control over the strategic waterway, reportedly allowing only selected vessels to pass, further heightening concerns over global energy supply disruptions.