Texas refinery blast: Massive explosion rips through Valero Refinery, cause remains unknown

A powerful explosion has ripped through an oil refinery in the southern US state of Texas, with no cause of the blast quickly confirmed.

Local media reports showed fall flames and a plume of black smoke rising from Valero's Port Arthur Refinery, as nearby residents reported a loud boom that rattled windows.

Local authorities warned residents near the refinery to immediately shelter-in-place in light of the incident.
"To ensure the safety of all residents in the vicinity and in light of the recent explosion at the Valero refinery, an immediate shelter-in-place is ordered," Port Arthur emergency management officials wrote in an alert.
They noted that the order applied to a large swath of land surrounding the refinery.

"Currently there is a fire in a unit at Valero's Port Arthur Texas refinery. All personnel have been accounted for," Valero said in a statement, adding that worker safety is a "top priority."

The development comes as International Energy Agency (IEA) chief Fatih Birol said on Monday that the world is facing an energy crisis surpassing the oil shocks of the 1970s and the fallout from Ukraine war, with the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran severely disrupting global supply chains.

Oil prices have surged more than 50 percent since the conflict began on February 28, following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran's countermeasures.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil transit route, is open to all except those of aggressor parties.

One fifth of the world’s oil shipments transit through the strait which is bordered by Iran on the north coast.     
US President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum, demanding Iran reopen the Strait or face attacks on its power infrastructure, with the deadline set to expire on Monday evening.

Iran warned it could fully disclose the waterway, and target regional energy and water infrastructure if the United States proceeds with further aggression against its territory.

On Monday, Trump backed off his initial threat to target Iran's vital infrastructure after the Islamic Republic's fierce response.

He released a fresh ultimatum in continuation of Washington's program of crimes against the Iranian nation.

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