Israeli attack causes explosion in gas refinery in S. Iran: media

TEHRAN -- An Israeli micro aerial vehicle hit an onshore refinery of the phase 14 of Iran's South Pars gas field in Bushehr province on Saturday, causing an explosion at the facility, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

Due to the explosion, a part of the Fajr Jam gas refinery has caught fire, Tasnim said, adding no report was released yet of the extent of damage.

It added that Iranian passive defense and rescue forces were managing the situation.

The attack comes amid heightened tensions following Israel's large-scale strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities, which have raised fears of broader regional escalation.

Early Friday, Israel launched airstrikes on Iran's capital Tehran and other cities across the country with the aim of crippling Iran's nuclear infrastructure, ballistic missile production, and military capabilities.

In response, Iran on Friday night and early Saturday morning launched rocket barrages against Israeli targets. According to Israel's state-owned Kan TV News, three Israelis were killed and 172 others injured as a result of the attacks.