Fact Check: "Two oil facilities in Iran, one in Shahran and another in southern Tehran, are on fire after being hit by Israeli strikes on October 23, 2023."
What We Know
On October 23, 2023, multiple reports confirmed that two significant energy facilities in Tehran, Iran, were struck by Israeli airstrikes. The facilities included the Shahran fuel and gasoline depot, which has at least 11 storage tanks, and the Shahr Rey oil refinery, one of the largest in the country. Witnesses described massive fires and explosions resulting from the attacks, with one resident stating, "The fire is terrifying, it’s massive; there is a lot of commotion here" (source-2). The Iranian oil ministry confirmed that the Shahran depot was set ablaze during the Israeli strikes, and emergency crews were deployed to contain the fires (source-3).
Analysis
The claim that two oil facilities in Iran are on fire due to Israeli strikes is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The Associated Press reported a significant blaze in southern Tehran, indicating that the fire originated from the oil refinery, although the Iranian oil ministry later stated that the refinery was "fully intact" and operational (source-1). This suggests some discrepancies in the reports regarding the extent of damage to the refinery.
The New York Times and other outlets provided detailed accounts of the events, including eyewitness testimonies of the explosions and the resulting chaos in the area. The attacks were part of a broader military campaign by Israel against Iranian energy facilities, which are crucial for Iran's economy and domestic energy supply (source-2).
While the Iranian government has a vested interest in downplaying the damage to its energy infrastructure, the consistency of reports from independent sources and the alarming eyewitness accounts lend credibility to the assertion that significant fires occurred at both the Shahran depot and the Shahr Rey refinery.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that two oil facilities in Iran, one in Shahran and another in southern Tehran, are on fire after being hit by Israeli strikes on October 23, 2023, is accurate. Multiple credible sources confirm the occurrence of the strikes and the resultant fires, despite some conflicting reports regarding the operational status of the refinery.
Sources
- Huge fire in southern Tehran following Israeli attacks - AP News
- Two Major Energy Facilities in Tehran Hit in Israeli Strikes - New York Times
- Live Updates: Iran Launches Missiles at Israel After Israeli ... - New York Times
- Iran fires missiles at Israel, kills 10, after attacks on oil sites - Al Jazeera
