Israel strikes Iranian steel plant, disrupting production and worker livelihoods

Israeli airstrikes have targeted Iran's steel industry, including the large Mobarakeh Steel complex near Isfahan, in an effort to disrupt revenue streams for the powerful Revolutionary Guards. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the strikes reduced Iran's steel production capacity and cut off funds to the Guards, whose repression supports the government.

The attacks, which occurred in late March, idled over 20,000 workers at the Isfahan plant for weeks. This disruption also choked off the supply of steel to domestic manufacturers, illustrating the intricate connection between Iran's economy and its security apparatus. Companies like Mobarakeh are crucial for the livelihoods of millions of Iranians, even as they provide revenue to entities like the Basij militia, which answers to the Revolutionary Guards.

The strikes come amid fluctuating U.S.-Iran relations, with the two nations oscillating between peace talks and military exchanges. While potential economic benefits for Iran were anticipated from nuclear program negotiations, recent statements suggest a breakdown in interim agreements. Any future investment in Iran's economy will likely scrutinize companies like Mobarakeh due to their economic importance and ties to security forces. The U.S. has also conducted strikes, such as on a railway bridge, which it described as military logistics infrastructure.

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I felt like my own home had been destroyed.