Iran’s Lavan Oil Refinery on Lavan Island was hit in an attack on Wednesday morning, hours after ceasefire reports, with Tehran launching retaliatory missile and drone strikes against the United Arab Emirates
and Kuwait within the hour, according to WANA News Agency.
The National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC) confirmed the attack, calling it a “cowardly” strike that hit refinery facilities at approximately 10:00 AM local time. Safety and firefighting teams were deployed immediately to contain fires and secure the site. No casualties were reported, with the NIORDC crediting the timely evacuation of personnel on the ground.
The NIORDC stated that Iran’s national fuel supply and distribution network remains stable. The company, however, urged citizens to manage fuel consumption, avoid unnecessary travel, and use public transportation wherever possible.
On the retaliatory front, Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reported, citing local sources, that missile and drone attacks were launched against the UAE and Kuwait in direct response to the Lavan strike. The operations were reportedly carried out within an hour of the attack on the oil facilities. Specific targets in both countries were not immediately confirmed, with details still emerging.
The Lavan refinery, situated on Lavan Island in Hormozgan Province in the Persian Gulf, has been operational since 1976 and processes approximately 55,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Its output, which includes gasoline, diesel, kerosene, fuel oil, and LPG, supplies a significant portion of fuel demand across southern Iran.
Wednesday’s strike puts a chunk of that regional supply chain under direct threat. The attack comes hours after the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, with Tehran reportedly committing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as part of the deal.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, in accepting the ceasefire, stated: “This does not signify the termination of the war. Our hands remain upon the trigger.” Peace talks between Washington and Tehran are scheduled for Friday in Islamabad.
The strike on Lavan Island and Iran’s subsequent military response in the Gulf mark a sharp regional escalation, coming in the immediate aftermath of ceasefire announcements. The situation remains fluid as ground reports continue to come in.
