U.S. President Donald Trump said Israel had «violently lashed out» at Iran’s major South Pars gas field in a significant escalation of the U.S.-Israeli conflict, but added Israel would not carry out further strikes unless Iran retaliated, Reuters reports.
Wednesday’s attack on the giant gas facility drove up oil prices and prompted Iran to threaten strikes on oil and gas targets across the Gulf, while firing missiles at Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The escalation further disrupts global energy supplies and increases political stakes for Trump, who joined Israel in targeting Iran nearly four weeks ago.
QatarEnergy reported «extensive damage» after Iranian missiles hit the Ras Laffan Industrial City, which processes roughly a fifth of the world’s gas supply.
Iran Responds With Missile Strikes
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted four ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh and an attempted drone strike on an eastern gas facility. On Thursday, Iran launched further attacks on Qatar’s gas infrastructure and targeted the Saudi capital, causing «sizeable fires» at several LNG facilities, according to QatarEnergy.
Trump said the United States did not have prior knowledge of Israel’s attack and Qatar was not involved. The Wall Street Journal reported Trump had approved Israel’s plan. On X, Trump wrote that Israel acted out of anger over Middle East developments and hit South Pars, while Iran «unjustifiably» struck part of Qatar’s LNG facilities. He warned that further Iranian attacks could prompt a massive U.S. response.
South Pars is Iran’s portion of the world’s largest natural gas deposit, shared with Qatar, a U.S. ally and host of its largest Gulf base. Tehran has targeted not just Israel but U.S. facilities across the Gulf and warned neighbours against hosting attacks.
With tensions rising, Trump is reportedly considering sending thousands more U.S. troops to the Middle East to protect oil tanker routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for global oil trade. His requests for allied support to reopen the strait have been declined.
Impact on Gulf Energy and Civilians
A vessel near Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG facility was hit by an unknown projectile, though the crew were safe. Foreign ministers from 12 Muslim-majority countries meeting in Riyadh condemned Iran’s strikes on Gulf neighbours and called for an immediate halt.
Saudi and UAE oil facilities were also targeted. Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port suffered minimal damage, and the UAE shut down its Habshan gas facility after intercepting Iranian missiles. European Union leaders are seeking ways to limit rising energy costs, with gas prices up over 60% since the conflict began on February 28.
Human rights groups report more than 3,000 deaths in Iran, 900 in Lebanon, and at least 13 U.S. service members killed since the U.S.-Israeli strikes commenced. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced across the region.
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