Iran threatens Gulf energy facilities after Israeli attack on its largest gasfield
Iran threatens Gulf energy facilities after Israeli attack on its largest gasfield
Iran has vowed to strike energy sites across the Gulf in response to Israeli assaults on its primary gas reserve, the South Pars field, marking the first direct hit on its fossil fuel infrastructure since hostilities began. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards issued warnings of imminent counterattacks on key facilities in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, following reports that missiles had targeted the shared gas complex. State media identified these locations as potential targets, urging civilians to evacuate the areas promptly.
The Israeli strikes, reported in local media, were reportedly carried out with US backing, according to sources. This attack on Iran’s energy core signals a major shift in the conflict’s trajectory, escalating military pressure on the Gulf’s critical energy networks. Until now, the US and Israel had largely avoided damaging Iran’s oil and gas operations, helping to stabilize global oil prices. However, recent threats have sparked fears of further supply disruptions.
“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,” the warning said.
Eskandar Pasalar, the governor of Asaluyeh in southern Iran, denounced the US-Israeli escalation as “political suicide.” He told state media that the war’s focus had shifted to a “full-scale economic war.” Meanwhile, a Qatari government representative, Majid al-Ansari, emphasized that targeting energy infrastructure poses a “threat to global energy security” and endangers regional populations and ecosystems.
Oil prices surged, reaching $108.60 per barrel, as the looming danger to Gulf energy systems raised concerns about supply chain interruptions. Europe’s gas prices also climbed sharply, exceeding €55.50 per megawatt hour, reflecting market anxiety. The third week of the war saw Iran launch attacks on the UAE’s Shah gasfield, one of the world’s largest, alongside strikes on Iraq’s Majnoon oilfield and the UAE’s Fujairah port and storage facility.
Daily oil exports from the region dropped by at least 60% compared to prewar levels, due to damage from drone and missile strikes, as well as Iran’s control of the strait of Hormuz. Despite this, Iran has maintained uninterrupted crude shipments through the strait, while threatening to ignite vessels from neighboring Gulf states. The global oil benchmark briefly exceeded $116 per barrel last week, the highest since May 2022, as traders factored in the war’s toll on energy supplies.