Iran refinery hit despite ceasefire, Iranian drones, missiles intercepted across Gulf: report

An oil refinery on Iran’s Lavan Island was hit in an alleged enemy attack on Wednesday, even after a ceasefire was agreed upon by US-Iran earlier in the day.

As reported by Reuters, Iran’s National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company said the refinery was targeted around 6.30 GMT, adding that no casualties were reported. 

Safety and firefighting teams were deployed to contain the blaze and reportedly secure the facility, according to the Oil Ministry’s news outlet Shana.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates reportedly said that its air defence systems were actively engaging incoming missiles and drones. 

The Defence Ministry stated that explosions heard across parts of the country were due to interceptions of ballistic and cruise missiles as well as unmanned aerial vehicles. Three people, two Emiratis and one Indian national, were reported injured in the incidents.

Kuwait also confirmed that its air defences intercepted a wave of Iranian drones launched since early morning, as per reports. 

A total of 28 drones were reportedly neutralised during the attacks in Kuwait.

Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior also reported alleged Iranian attacks, indicating a wider spread of hostilities across the Gulf region.

Earlier in the day, after announcing a two-week ceasefire with Iran, US President Donald Trump had said that it was a “big day for World Peace”. He said that Iran wanted this to happen as “they have had enough”, while adding that Tehran can start the reconstruction.

In a statement shared on Truth Social, Trump stated that the US will be helping the traffic buildup in the Strait of Hormuz and mentioned that American troops will “hang around” to ensure everything “goes well”.

Earlier, Trump stepped back from the brink of a major military escalation with Iran, announcing a conditional two-week pause in planned attacks tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a development that came as a big relief to people across the world.

The decision came 90 minutes before the self-imposed 8 pm EST deadline set by Trump for Iran to reach a deal, after backchannel diplomacy.

Trump, in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday (local time), said he would “suspend” an escalation of attacks for two weeks if Iran agrees to open the key shipping route.

In a social media post, he said talks with Pakistan led to what he called a “double-sided ceasefire.”

The ceasefire is conditional. Trump said it depends on Iran agreeing to the “complete, immediate, and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz.”

Iran signalled tentative acceptance. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would halt operations if attacks stop.

“For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations,” he added.

A White House official said Israel had also agreed to the two-week pause, though details remain unclear.

The pause followed a sharp escalation earlier in the day. Trump warned that “a whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again” if Iran did not reach a deal.

(with inputs from syndicated feed)