Iran's two largest steel plants have been shut down due to multiple rounds of US-Israeli air strikes, the companies operating them say.
Our initial estimate is that restarting these units will take at least six months and up to one year, Mehran Pakbin, deputy head of operations at the Khuzestan Steel Company in south-western Iran, was quoted as saying by Iranian media.
Mobarakeh Steel Company reported that its production lines had completely shut down following the high volume of attacks.
The strikes, launched by Israel in coordination with the US, have been confirmed by both Israeli media and Iran's foreign minister, potentially causing major damage to Iran's economy.
Iran is the 10th largest producer of steel globally, using it for domestic construction and manufacturing while also exporting the material.
Any halt in production could have significant implications for supply chains across the country, which has been affected by extensive Western sanctions for years. Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, have criticized the strikes, labeling them as coordinated attacks that target essential infrastructure.
Reportedly, these air strikes were aimed at facilities in Iran directly linked to the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) and are expected to cause billions of dollars in damage.
The IRGC has indicated that it has retaliated by targeting US-linked steel and aluminium facilities in Gulf states, suggesting an escalation in military operations. Recent missile attacks reported by the Israeli military and other military interactions further highlight the growing tensions in the region.
US and Israeli forces have increased targeting of various facilities within Iran, leading to concerns over the broader implications of military action on civilian infrastructure and health systems in the country.
