Our latest steel production press release shows that the Middle East is recovering following the dramatic fall in the percentage of active production capacity from over 80% at the start of March to under 40% a month later. Latest data from Earth-i’s steel production activity index, which monitors activity levels using satellite data signals shows that active capacity had risen to almost 60% at the start of May.
Fig I – Middle East Steel Activity Index (last 6 months)
Military strikes at Iran’s two largest steelmakers (Mobarakeh Steel Complex and Khouzestan Steel) severely damaged operating units and drastically reduced steel activity (as per Fig II). These two plants produce up to 13 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) combined and are not expected to recover for months if not over a year.
Fig II – Mobarakeh Steel Complex Isfahan (LHS) and Khouzestan Steel
Yellow = active, blue = inactive, grey = no reading
Other plants in Iran had also reduced their activity in April but have since ramped up production – notably Mobarakeh Steel Hormuzgan (nominal capacity 1.5Mtpa) and Kish South Kaveh Hormuzgan (2.4Mtpa) which was down for all of April. Both have posted recoveries as per the plant data observed here in Fig III. Esfahan Steel (4.6Mpta) is operating at around approximately half its normal activity.
Fig III – Mobarakeh Steel Hormuzgan (LHS) and Kish South Kaveh Steel
Yellow = active, blue = inactive, grey = no reading
Elsewhere in the Persian Gulf, we have seen United Steel Industrial Kuwait (1.2Mtpa) offline during March and half of April while reduced steel production activity can be observed at Saudi’s Hadeed plant at Al Jubail (SABIC) (6Mtpa) at the end of March (both plants’ data shown in Fig IV). Industries Qatar Steel Mesaieed (2.6Mtpa) saw lulls during March and the second half of April while GHC Emirates Steel Industries Abu Dhabi (3.5Mtpa) has largely been able to maintain their activity after a brief drop at the beginning of April.
Fig IV – United Steel Industrial Kuwait (LHS) and SABIC (Saudi Arabia)
Yellow = active, blue = inactive, grey = no reading
Saudi’s Al Ittefaq Arab Steel Dammam plant (2.6Mtpa) and Iran’s Natanz Steel Isfahan plant (1Mtpa) remain inactive (see Fig V).
Fig V – Map of selected Middle East steel plants (7 May 2026)
See more about Earth-i’s SAVANT Global Monitoring Index by industry sector here.
