Iran aims to recover most of its damaged refining and distribution facilities to 70–80% of their pre-attack capacity within one to two months, a senior oil ministry official announced. Efforts to repair the infrastructure have already commenced, with part of the Lavan refinery expected to resume operations in approximately 10 days, followed by the gradual restoration of other units.
In a significant development, the March 19 attack on Iran’s massive Pars gas field marked a major escalation in the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict. This assault prompted Tehran to declare retaliatory strikes on oil and gas targets throughout the Gulf region. The incident caused oil prices to surge, with benchmark Brent crude rising about 5% to over $108 per barrel. Meanwhile, stock markets experienced declines amid concerns over the disruption of shipping from this critical energy-producing area, which could suffer long-term infrastructure damage.
The Pars gas field, located in the Iranian sector of the world’s largest natural gas deposit shared with Qatar, sustained damage to gas tanks and refinery components. Workers were evacuated to safety as emergency teams worked to extinguish fires, which state media later confirmed were under control.
Although Israeli media widely reported that Israel, with U.S. approval, carried out the attack, neither country has officially claimed responsibility. The Israeli military declined to comment on the matter when approached.
