Attacks on Several Core Iranian Steel Mills May Further Heighten Uncertainty in the Middle East Steel Supply Chain

Time:2026-03-30

On Friday, March 27, critical infrastructure in Iran’s steel industry was damaged in an airstrike. According to official reports, facilities at two leading firms—Mobarakeh Steel Company and Khouzestan Steel Company—were hit, with damage affecting storage facilities and power systems. Market consensus is that, in the short term, Iran’s billet and slab production and export volumes will likely be somewhat disrupted.

  On Friday, March 27, critical infrastructure in Iran’s steel industry was damaged in an airstrike. According to official reports, facilities at two leading firms—Mobarakeh Steel Company and Khouzestan Steel Company—were hit, with damage affecting storage facilities and power systems. Market consensus is that, in the short term, Iran’s billet and slab production and export volumes will likely be somewhat disrupted.
  Based on the extent of the damage, Mobarakeh Steel Company in Isfahan has been particularly hard hit. The company disclosed that its substation, several alloy-steel production lines, and its captive power system have all sustained significant damage, with power-generation equipment—including 914-MW and 250-MW units—suffering varying degrees of impairment. In addition, the direct-reduced iron (DRI) plant has also been affected, posing challenges to the stability of the power supply. The company is currently conducting a comprehensive systematic inspection; some production lines may be temporarily shut down, and the full impact on capacity remains to be further assessed.
  By contrast, the overall production facilities of Khouzestan Steel Company were relatively little affected. According to local security officials, the attack primarily damaged two storage silos; however, Blast Furnaces No. 1 and No. 2, which were already shut down at the time, were spared, and no injuries or fatalities were reported on site. The company’s crude steel output in 2025 is expected to be approximately 4.2 million tonnes, making it a key player in Iran’s steel industry.
  Even earlier, on Thursday, March 26, Atieh Foolad (Asia Steel Company) was struck by an airstrike, resulting in casualties and triggering a production shutdown for maintenance. Iran’s industrial authorities subsequently confirmed that some of the plant’s facilities were damaged and that safety inspections are currently underway, leading to delays in steel shipments. Although the exact scale of the production cut has not yet been disclosed, the market generally believes that the short-term impact on prices will be relatively mild.
  In addition to emergencies, energy constraints are also intensifying pressure on the industry. Following the recent attack on the South Pars gas field, several Iranian steel mills are facing tightening supplies of natural gas and electricity; coupled with damage to power infrastructure in this round of incidents, the continuity and stability of steel production are under further strain.
  From a foreign-trade perspective, Iran’s exports of semi-finished steel products are significant and cannot be overlooked. According to data from the World Steel Association, the average monthly export volume in 2024 was approximately 550,000 tonnes, substantially higher than the official statistics reported under HS code 7207. Industry analysts believe that if power and energy constraints persist, the pace of Iran’s billet and slab exports may slow temporarily; however, the actual impact on global markets will ultimately depend on the subsequent progress of production resumption.
  Meanwhile, the regional situation carries the risk of further escalation. According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, Tehran is reportedly considering retaliatory measures against steel companies in the Gulf region, with potential targets including Hadeed Saudi Iron & Steel Company, Emirates Steel Arkan, Qatar Steel Company, Kuwait Steel Company, SULB Company, and Yehuda Steel—among the region’s leading steel producers. Should the conflict spill over, it could further heighten uncertainty in the Middle East’s steel supply chain.

Keywords: Attacks on Several Core Iranian Steel Mills May Further Heighten Uncertainty in the Middle East Steel Supply Chain

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