DUBAI — Israel struck Iran’s Mahshahr Petrochemical Complex in Khuzestan Province on Monday, in what would be the first Israeli attack on a major Iranian civilian industrial facility since the US-Iran confrontation began 102 days ago. Video footage broadcast by Israeli Channel 12 showed plumes of smoke rising from the facility.
The attack came hours after Iran fired ballistic missiles at Israeli territory — the first direct cross-border exchange since the April ceasefire — and as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi prepared to meet in Geneva to finalize a framework nuclear deal.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the strike proved “the US cannot be trusted as a negotiating partner” and warned Iran reserved the right to respond. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it was “deeply concerned” and called for an emergency UN Security Council session.
The IDF confirmed the strike, saying it targeted “strategic energy infrastructure used to fund Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.”
The Mahshahr complex is one of Iran’s largest petrochemical hubs, located in the oil-rich Khuzestan Province near the Strait of Hormuz. The attack sent oil markets surging — Brent crude rose 2.1% to $85.60 per barrel before paring gains on news Iran had also announced a suspension of offensive operations against Israel.
President Trump, asked about the strike at the White House, said: “Israel has the absolute right to defend itself. We are watching the situation very closely.” He reiterated that the Geneva nuclear talks were “very close” to completion.
The IAEA said Monday its chief Rafael Grossi was in Tehran for talks on nuclear monitoring, describing the negotiations as being in a “complicated phase.”
Layla Hassan covers Middle East politics, conflict, and diplomacy from the Gulf to the Levant.
Written by Layla Hassan, Middle East Correspondent