Iran’s largest steel producer Mobarakeh Steel Company has announced that all operations at its Isfahan-based complex have been suspended following a second US-Israeli strike that caused severe damage to production units, according to Iranian media.
Mobarakeh Steel Company said that “continuation of activity is not possible”, adding that the scale of damage and “fundamental destruction” to production-related units has led to a total halt.
Production lines fully disabled, workforce instructed to stay home
According to Mobarakeh Steel Company, the high intensity of the attacks caused extensive structural damage across its facilities, effectively disabling all operational lines. The company also announced that employees have been instructed not to return to the plant until further notice, emphasizing the need to protect “human capital as the organisation’s most important asset”.
Restart timelines vary across producers
According to Mehram Ravanbakhsh, director general of industry for Khuzestan Steel Company and Foolad Atieh Persian Gulf, restart plans are currently being developed and are expected to be finalized in the short term. Meanwhile, Mehran Pakbin, deputy head of operations at Iranian steelmaker Khuzestan Steel Company, stated that restarting affected units could take at least six months and up to one year, based on initial estimates.
Some plants in the region that have been targeted by strikes may begin a gradual return to operations as early as next week. However, the extent of damage at Mobarakeh and Khuzestan suggests a longer recovery period compared to other facilities.