Israel Bombs Largest Petrochemical Facility in Iran.. Netanyahu: "We Are Destroying the IRGC's Money Machine"

SadaNews - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel "is systematically destroying the IRGC's money machine" while escalating its attacks on the energy sector and industrial infrastructure in Iran. Israeli Security Minister Israel Katz stated that the Israeli army bombed a petrochemical facility in Asaluyeh, in the southwestern part of the country, describing it as the "largest" in Iran, as part of a strategy to expand strike operations to include vital infrastructure.

Netanyahu said in a video statement: "We are systematically destroying the IRGC's money machine. We are destroying factories, eliminating elements, and continue to eliminate senior officials," adding, "Today, we destroyed the largest petrochemical plant in Iran." He considered these strikes to be part of a systematic policy that he claimed targets the funding sources of the IRGC.

In this context, Netanyahu referred to a conversation he had with U.S. President Donald Trump, saying: "I spoke again yesterday with my friend President Trump and expressed to him our great appreciation for the heroic rescue operation of that individual from the U.S. Air Force crew," adding that Trump "thanked me for the assistance Israel provided in this operation."

Netanyahu continued that Trump praised Israel during their conversation, saying: "You are great," adding that the U.S. President "sees Israel as a strong, resolute, and determined ally, fighting shoulder to shoulder alongside the United States," emphasizing that both sides "continue to crush the Iranian terrorism regime."

He added: "Iran is no longer what it was, and Israel is not what it was. Israel is stronger than ever, and the Iranian terrorism regime is weaker than ever," considering that "the key, the secret, is faith and strength, and we have both in abundance."

This comes in the context of escalating Israeli operations in recent hours, as the Israeli army announced the assassination of Majid Khademi, head of IRGC intelligence, in a prior raid, in addition to executing nighttime strikes on airports in Tehran, which they claimed resulted in the destruction of dozens of military aircraft and helicopters.

Katz indicated that targeting the petrochemical facility in Asaluyeh is part of expanding the circle of targets to include vital infrastructure, also announcing the completion of a wide wave of airstrikes targeting "infrastructure belonging to the Iranian regime" in Tehran and other areas within Iran.

Katz stated in a video statement that "the facility is responsible for about 50% of petrochemical production in Iran," adding that the strikes knocked out two central facilities, which "provide about 85% of Iranian petrochemical exports," according to him.

The targeted complex is located in the Pars area associated with the "South Pars" gas field, the largest known natural gas field in the world, which is shared by Iran and Qatar, where it is known in Doha as the "North Field." The site had previously been attacked by Israel last month as part of strikes targeting gas facilities in the region.

In contrast, the operator of the facility reported that it has begun assessing the extent of the damage caused by the attack, while the National Petrochemicals Company announced the control of a fire that broke out at the site, confirming that no injuries were recorded and that "the situation is currently under control, and an investigation into the damage is underway."

An Iranian official announced on Saturday that an attack targeted the Mahshahr industrial area for petrochemicals in Khuzestan province, resulting in the death of five people, in the context of escalating strikes on energy facilities.

Simultaneously, local authorities reported that a petrochemical complex in Mehrdasht near Shiraz in southern Iran had been targeted, where it was announced that the fire was brought under control with "minor damage" reported, making it the second site targeted on the same day.

Katz concluded his statement by saying: "Prime Minister Netanyahu and I have instructed the army to continue striking Iran's national infrastructure with full force," indicating the continuation of targeting vital economic facilities.

In recent days, Israel has intensified targeting industrial sectors in Iran as part of the war it has been waging alongside the United States since February 28, with Netanyahu stating that the strikes "destroyed about 70% of Iran's steel production capacity."

In relation, the Israeli army announced tonight that it had conducted a wide aerial attack targeting airports in the Iranian capital Tehran last night, claiming to have bombed dozens of airplanes and helicopters, along with military infrastructure belonging to the Iranian Air Force and IRGC Air Force.

According to a statement issued by the Israeli army, the attack was carried out "with intelligence guidance" and targeted three airports: "Baharim," "Mehrabad," and "Azmaish," where it claimed that Mehrabad Airport is used by the "Quds Force" as a center for transporting weapons and financing Iran's allies in the region.