Amid rising tensions in the region, Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad visited the Kharg Island oil facilities, a critical site for Iran’s crude oil exports, as concerns grow over possible Israeli airstrikes targeting vital infrastructure.
The visit follows an escalation in hostilities between Israel and Iran. This week, an Israeli official said the country was “preparing a response” after Iran launched a barrage of 200 ballistic missiles at Israel. The missile attack was claimed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, who stated it was in retaliation for the deaths of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Iranian general Abbas Nilforoushan in a September 27 strike on Beirut. Hezbollah, a terrorist group backed by Iran, has long been considered a key proxy for Tehran’s influence in the region.
“We are not afraid,” says Oil Minister
Paknejad arrived at the Kharg Island facility early in the morning and held discussions with employees, according to the oil ministry’s news agency, SHANA. He downplayed concerns over potential strikes, saying on state television, “We are not afraid that our enemies will ignite a crisis, and visiting the region is a normal business trip.”
Kharg Island, situated in the Gulf, is home to Iran’s largest crude oil export terminal, making it a strategic target amid ongoing hostilities. While Paknejad sought to present the visit as routine, the heightened tensions between Israel and Iran have raised concerns that key infrastructure like the Kharg facilities could be vulnerable to military action.
As Israel reportedly prepares its response, the region remains on edge, with further escalation potentially impacting global oil markets and regional stability.
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