Iran's oil, nuclear facilities in spotlight amid tensions with Israel

By Ahmet Dursun

TEHRAN, Iran (AA) - Recent statements by US officials, including President Joe Biden, about Israel's plans to strike Iran have renewed attention on Iranian oil and nuclear facilities.

Iran's energy infrastructure, a cornerstone of its economy despite US sanctions, is now at the center of geopolitical tensions.

Iran boasts approximately 208 billion barrels of crude oil reserves and 34 trillion cubic meters of natural gas, according to the National Iranian Oil Company.

- Iran's strategic assets under scrutiny

At the heart of Iran's oil export capabilities lies Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf, 25 kilometers (16 miles) off the coast of Iran. The strategic location hosts massive storage tanks operated by the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) and serves as the country's primary oil export hub. The island's position in the Gulf makes it a critical point for global energy trade.

The oil-rich Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran the Abadan Refinery stands as Iran's largest oil facility. With a daily processing capacity of about 630,000 barrels, it plays a crucial role in the country's petroleum industry. The refinery, which suffered heavy damage during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, has been repaired and returned to operation.

Iran's natural gas production is centered around the Asaluyeh terminal in Bushehr province. Located near the South Pars gas field, which Iran shares with Qatar, the facility is one of the country's largest gas production sites. The terminal processes gas from the South Pars field for domestic use and export.

The Isfahan Refinery, with its daily capacity of 375,000 barrels, is vital to meet Iran's domestic petroleum needs. Similarly, the Bandar Abbas Refinery, processing 350,000 barrels daily, is considered one of Iran's largest refineries.

The Tehran Refinery, located south of the capital, Tehran, is critical for the country's domestic consumption and energy production, with a daily refining capacity of approximately 250,000 barrels.

- Nuclear facilities in focus

Iran's nuclear program, a source of international controversy due to concerns about Iran's potential to acquire nuclear weapons, includes several key sites that have drawn global attention.

The Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, built with Russian assistance, stands as Iran's first and only nuclear power plant. The 1,000 megawatt facility in Bushehr province, located on the Persian Gulf coast, started operations in 2011 and it is known that Iran wants to increase its capacity to 3,000 megawatts.

The Natanz Uranium Enrichment Facility, considered Iran's largest such site, has been the target of sabotage attempts allegedly by the US and Israel.

The underground Fordow Uranium Enrichment Facility, whose existence was revealed to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2009, and the Arak Heavy Water Reactor, temporarily shut down under the 2015 nuclear deal but reactivated in 2019, round out Iran's major nuclear installations.

- Tensions escalate in region

Tensions surrounding the facilities have escalated recently. Iranian Revolutionary Guards Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Ali Fadavi warned about retaliation against Israeli energy facilities in the event of an attack on its oil infrastructure. That was in response to perceived threats from Israel that it would target Iranian oil facilities.

Biden, addressing potential Israeli responses to Iran's Oct. 1 missile strikes, suggested Israel consider alternatives to targeting oil fields. His comments indicate deliberations about response strategies and highlight the sensitive nature of the facilities in the current geopolitical climate.

As tensions persist, the international community remains watchful of developments surrounding Iran's strategic facilities. The situation continues to evolve, with potential implications for global energy security and nuclear diplomacy in the region.

*Writing by Yasin Gungor