Iran threatens Gulf energy facilities after Israeli attack on its largest gasfield
Iran threatens Gulf energy facilities after Israeli attack on its largest gasfield
Escalating tensions following targeted strikes
Iran has vowed to strike energy infrastructure in the Gulf region in response to Israeli attacks on its primary gasfield, the South Pars field. This marks the first targeted assaults on Iran’s fossil fuel production since the conflict began. State media reported that missiles had hit the facility, prompting the Revolutionary Guards to issue warnings of counterstrikes on Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar’s energy sites “within the coming hours.”
The strikes on the South Pars gasfield, shared with Qatar, were reportedly carried out with US approval, according to Israeli outlets. This development signals a major shift in the military strategy of the US and Israel, which had previously avoided direct damage to Iran’s oil and gas sector. The attack has raised fears of broader disruptions to global energy supplies, as the Gulf’s critical infrastructure faces potential threats.
“These centres have become direct and legitimate targets and will be targeted in the coming hours. Therefore, all citizens, residents, and employees are requested to immediately leave these areas and move to a safe distance without any delay,”
Iran’s state media listed several facilities as possible targets, including Saudi Arabia’s Samref refinery and Jubail petrochemical complex, the UAE’s al-Hosn gasfield, Qatar’s Mesaieed petrochemical complex, and the Ras Laffan refinery. The warning highlighted the urgency of evacuation efforts as retaliation looms.
Meanwhile, the international oil benchmark surged by 5% to $108.60 a barrel, while Europe’s gas benchmark rose over 7.5% to €55.50 per megawatt hour. The price spike reflects growing concerns over the stability of energy networks in the region, exacerbated by the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Oil prices reached $116 a barrel for the first time since May 2022 as traders factored in the war’s toll on supply chains. Daily exports from the Gulf have dropped by at least 60% compared to prewar levels, due to strikes on pipelines and storage sites, as well as Iran’s control over the Hormuz strait. Gulf states have been forced to cut production to manage the crisis.
Earlier in the war, Iranian drones and missiles hit the UAE’s Shah natural gasfield, Iraq’s Majnoon oilfield, and Fujairah, the region’s largest port. Despite these attacks, Iran’s own hydrocarbon infrastructure has remained largely unscathed. The US, however, struck Kharg Island—a hub for oil processing—over the weekend, focusing on military assets rather than export facilities.
Eskandar Pasalar, governor of Asaluyeh in southern Iran, denounced the US-Israeli escalation as “political suicide.” He claimed the war had shifted to a “full-scale economic war,” affecting regional stability. A Qatari spokesperson, Majid al-Ansari, emphasized that targeting energy sites poses a threat to global security, as well as the environment and local populations.
