Washington, United States. U.S. President Donald Trump said Israel attacked Iran’s South Pars gas field in what he called a violent escalation, while Iranian strikes hit energy facilities in Qatar and attacks were reported toward Saudi Arabia.
Attack on South Pars and regional escalation
Trump said an angry Israel “violently lashed out” and attacked Iran’s major gas field, describing it as a significant escalation in the U.S.-Israeli war. He said he ruled out further such attacks by Israel unless Iran retaliated.
Wednesday’s attack on the South Pars gas field drove oil prices higher and prompted Iran to threaten attacks on oil and gas targets across the Gulf. Iran also fired missiles at Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Strikes and reported interceptions in Qatar and Saudi Arabia
Qatar’s state oil giant QatarEnergy reported “extensive damage” after Iranian missiles hit Ras Laffan Industrial City, which processes about a fifth of global gas supply. QatarEnergy also reported “sizeable fires” and extensive damage at several liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities targeted in missile attacks early on Thursday.
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed four ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh on Wednesday and reported an attempted drone attack on a gas facility in the country’s east. On Thursday, Iran again targeted Qatar’s gas facilities and its missiles also targeted the Saudi capital.
Trump’s comments on knowledge and responsibility
Trump said the United States did not have advance knowledge of Israel’s attack and added that Qatar had not been involved.
“Israel, out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East, has violently lashed out at a major facility known as South Pars Gas Field in Iran,” Trump posted on X on Wednesday.
“Unfortunately, Iran did not know this, or any of the pertinent facts pertaining to the South Pars attack, and unjustifiably and unfairly attacked a portion of Qatar’s LNG Gas facility.”
How do you think the latest attacks on gas facilities could affect global energy supplies?
