Iran Cautiously Resumes Gas Production Following Attack

Tehran (ANTARA) - Iran is cautiously continuing gas production following the attack on the South Pars gas field, according to the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) on Wednesday (18/3). Earlier that day, the Tasnim news agency reported that Israel and the United States (US) attacked energy facilities at Iran’s largest gas field and the Asaluyeh industrial zone, which serves as the main gas processing hub. Fires were reported in Asaluyeh after storage tanks and processing facilities were hit. “Gas production is currently proceeding in accordance with security procedures, and the national gas network is stable. No districts are experiencing gas supply restrictions,” Tasnim quoted NIGC as stating. Following the attack, Iran has warned that it will retaliate against the US-Israel actions by targeting fuel and energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. Commander of the Navy of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Alireza Tangsiri, urged the public not to approach oil facilities associated with the US in the Middle East region. On 28 February, the US and Israel launched attacks on targets in Iran, including in Tehran, causing damage and civilian casualties. Iran responded by striking Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East. The US and Israel initially claimed the “preliminary strikes” were necessary to counter threats from Iran’s nuclear programme, but later stated that the objective was to change the ruling government in Iran. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei fell on the first day of the military operation, and Iran declared a 40-day mourning period.