Iran has warned it could launch strikes on key energy infrastructure across the Gulf region following attacks on its largest gas field, marking the first direct hit on its fossil fuel sector since the conflict began.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued the threat after Iranian state media reported missile strikes on facilities at the South Pars gas field—the world’s largest natural gas reserve, jointly shared with Qatar.
Israel media reports suggested the operation was carried out by Israel with backing from the United States, signaling a sharp escalation in the conflict. Until now, both countries had largely avoided targeting Iran’s oil and gas infrastructure, a restraint that helped limit volatility in global energy markets.
The latest development has heightened fears of wider disruption. By Wednesday afternoon, global oil prices had climbed toward $110 per barrel amid concerns over supply risks and the continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian authorities identified several potential targets for retaliation, including major energy installations in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. These reportedly include the Samref refinery and Jubail petrochemical complex in Saudi Arabia, the Al-Hosn gasfield in the UAE, and Qatar’s Mesaieed and Ras Laffan energy facilities.
A statement carried by state media warned that the sites had become “legitimate targets” and urged civilians and workers to evacuate immediately for safety.
Eskandar Pasalar, governor of Asaluyeh in southern Iran, described the reported US-Israeli action as “political suicide,” saying the conflict had shifted toward what he called a “full-scale economic war.”
Reacting to the developments, Qatari government spokesperson Majid Al-Ansari cautioned that any attack on energy infrastructure would pose serious risks to global energy security, regional populations, and the environment.
