Iran executed the attack late Saturday night, targeting the Haifa port and a nearby oil refinery. This was seen as retaliation for Israel’s previous strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites on Friday.
Shrapnel from the missiles landed in the chemical terminal at the port and adjacent to the oil refinery. A piece of interceptor shrapnel was also discovered at the port, referred to as Kishan West. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, and the port’s functions have remained undisturbed. Sources confirmed that as of Sunday, eight vessels were engaged in cargo operations at the port without interruptions.
The Haifa port employs approximately 700 individuals and handles a variety of cargo such as containers, bulk, breakbulk, cement, and general goods. It is a vital maritime hub, accounting for over 30% of Israel’s imports. Adani Ports holds a 70% ownership stake in the port, which represents less than 2% of the total volume managed by Adani Ports and SEZ (10.57 million tonnes) and about 5% of its overall revenue. The port works closely with Israel’s Ministry of Transport and adheres to all security and operational protocols.
The nearby Chinese port is also operating without issues. Reports indicate that the missile strike might have impacted a significant oil refinery close to the Haifa port, but no official statements have been released. The Adani Group and Israeli governmental authorities did not respond immediately with comments.
The Iranian strike is part of a growing conflict between Israel and Iran. Israel hit Iranian targets early Friday, followed by retaliatory strikes from Iran the next day. The two nations exchanged hostilities again on Sunday, with Iran alleging that Israel attacked two of its oil refineries, raising concerns over a broader assault on its energy sector that could affect global markets.
(Edited by : Vivek Dubey)
