The Haifa refinery in Israel was engulfed in flames on Thursday evening (19/03) following a ballistic missile attack by Iran. It should be noted that the Haifa refinery is Israel’s largest and most critical fuel facility, supplying approximately 50-60% of the country’s fuel needs. It processes around 197,000 barrels per day, meaning that a significant portion of Israel’s transportation, aviation, and military fuels depend on it. Israel operates only two refineries.
BREAKING: Video shows Haifa’s oil refinery on fire after Iranian ballistic missile strike. pic.twitter.com/b6wBC6dJSx
— Conflict Alarm (@ConflictAlarm) March 19, 2026
It should be recalled that the oil and natural gas refinery in Haifa had previously been targeted by Iran, with the country’s military claiming responsibility on March 10, emphasizing that the attack with “unmanned aircraft (drones) on the oil and natural gas refinery and fuel tanks of the Zionist regime in Haifa” was conducted “in response to the attack on oil storage facilities in Tehran.”
Massive Iranian attacks: “Extensive damage” at Ras Laffan refinery
The new attack follows Iran’s threats to target energy installations in Gulf countries in retaliation for Israeli-American strikes on its territory.
Specifically, on Wednesday afternoon (18/03), a fire broke out at Qatar’s main natural gas facility in the industrial city of Ras Laffan. QatarEnergy confirmed it was hit by missile attacks, stating in an announcement: “Emergency teams were immediately mobilized to contain the fires that were caused, as extensive damage has occurred. All personnel have been located and no casualties have been reported so far.”
The fire was brought under control, according to local authorities. It should be noted that Iran had threatened to target energy facilities in the Gulf in retaliation for American-Israeli strikes on its own infrastructure. “Civil Defense brought the fire at Ras Laffan under control, with no injuries” the Interior Ministry reported.
Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the Ras Laffan attack, Qatar today ordered two Iranian diplomats and their staff to leave the country. “Two embassy attachés (from Iran) – the Defense and Security attachés – as well as staff working in their offices, are declared personae non gratae and are required to leave the country within 24 hours,” states the announcement from Qatar’s Foreign Ministry. Doha attributed the decision to repeated attacks Qatar has suffered from Iran.
Iranian “ballistic threat” in Riyadh
Additionally, explosions were heard in Riyadh, where according to state television, they confronted a “ballistic threat.” “Air defense is currently addressing missile and unmanned aircraft threats originating from Iran,” the Defense Ministry reported, clarifying that “the noise being heard is the result of intercepting missiles and drones.” Meanwhile, as announced by Saudi Arabia, four people were injured by shrapnel in Riyadh following the interception of a missile.
Extensive damage at US Naval Base in Bahrain following Iranian attacks
Meanwhile, shocking new images circulated on social media showing part of the extensive damage caused to the facilities of the Bahrain Naval Support Base, which houses the headquarters of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet, after more than two weeks of attacks with ballistic missiles and drones from Iran.
