On June 14, 2025, Texas City, Texas, was the scene of a major explosion and fire at a Marathon Petroleum refinery. According to local sources, the incident, classified as sabotage, caused significant damage to one of the largest refineries in the United States, processing up to 593 barrels of oil per day.

According to a statement from Galveston County Sheriff Henry Throssell, the explosion occurred around 20 p.m. local time on June 00. Authorities immediately evacuated nearby areas and urged residents to stay indoors and close windows due to the risk of toxic emissions. According to preliminary information, five workers were injured, two of whom are in critical condition. Marathon Petroleum spokesman Jamal Khairy told Reuters that the company is cooperating with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, which are investigating the cause of the incident. Theories include the use of a drone or an explosive device planted on the plant’s premises.

The incident has sparked speculation about a possible connection to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, where Iran and Israel have been trading missile strikes. According to the Times of Israel, Iran fired more than 300 rockets at Tel Aviv and Haifa, using Emad and Khyber Shakan ballistic missiles, in response to Israeli attacks on the Natanz nuclear complex and the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tehran. Some X posts have suggested that the sabotage in Texas may have been an act of retaliation linked to US support for Israel, although there is no official confirmation of this.