Iran has threatened to target key energy infrastructure across the Gulf following Israeli strikes on its largest gas field, marking a major escalation in the ongoing regional conflict.
The country’s Revolutionary Guards warned of imminent retaliatory attacks on facilities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar after missiles reportedly hit the South Pars gas field, the world’s largest gas reserve, shared between Iran and Qatar.
Iranian state media said several major sites could be targeted, including refineries and petrochemical complexes across the Gulf, urging residents and workers to evacuate affected areas immediately.
The strike on South Pars is seen as a significant turning point, as it represents the first direct attack on Iran’s core fossil fuel infrastructure since the conflict began. Israeli media reports suggested the operation was carried out by Israel with US backing.
The escalation has raised fears of widespread disruption to global energy supplies, especially as tensions intensify around the Strait of Hormuz , a critical route for global oil shipments.
Oil prices surged sharply on the news, climbing toward $110 per barrel, while European gas prices also recorded significant gains amid concerns over supply shortages.
Iranian officials described the development as a shift toward “full-scale economic war,” warning that energy infrastructure across the region is now a “legitimate target.”
Qatar also raised alarm, saying attacks on energy facilities pose a serious threat to global energy security, regional stability, and the environment.
The latest developments come as the conflict enters its third week, with escalating strikes already hitting oil fields and key infrastructure across the region, significantly reducing energy exports and straining global markets.