Iran targets Gulf countries’ energy infrastructure after Israeli strike on gas field
Iran has launched a series of retaliatory strikes against vital energy infrastructure in nearby Gulf states after Israel targeted its largest gas field, causing a dangerous escalation in the crisis and sending oil prices soaring.
In response to Israel’s initial strike, Iran issued evacuation orders for several energy assets in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, declaring these facilities as “direct and legitimate targets,” according to the semi-official Mehr News Agency.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated, “Previously, clear and repeated warnings were given to your rulers about entering this dangerous path and gambling with the fate of their nations.”
Both Qatar and the UAE criticized Israel’s attack, with the Qatari foreign minister calling it a “dangerous and irresponsible step” amidst the escalating military tensions in the region.
Iran’s retaliatory strikes included targeting the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal at Ras Laffan in Qatar, marking the most significant attack on the country’s energy facilities since the conflict began.
President Donald Trump responded to the situation, stating that the U.S. and Qatar were unaware of Israel’s attack on the South Pars Gas Field. He warned against further attacks on Qatar’s LNG facilities, threatening massive retaliation if such actions were repeated.
The attacks in Qatar caused fires and extensive damage, impacting approximately a fifth of the world’s liquefied natural gas shipments from Ras Laffan.
Subsequently, energy facilities in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi were targeted by a barrage of missiles and drones, posing a direct threat to the security and stability of the region and global energy security.
Iran’s vows to retaliate against neighboring Gulf state’s energy facilities came after Israel’s attack on the Iranian part of the South Pars gas field, the largest in the world, shared with Qatar.
The list of targets issued by Iran included facilities producing refined products like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, potentially impacting over 1.25 million barrels per day of oil refining capacity in the region.
The escalation in attacks on energy infrastructure led to a surge in oil prices, with U.S. oil trading up nearly 3% at $99 per barrel and global oil up about 5% at $108 a barrel.
These developments unfold as the critical waterway of the Strait of Hormuz remains essentially closed, affecting global oil supply as it facilitates shipping for approximately 20% of oil consumed worldwide.
