Strike On South Pars Jolts Global Energy Markets

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Dubai – Israel's strike on Iran's South Pars gas field, the largest natural gas reserve in the world, shared with Qatar, has pushed the Middle East conflict into a far more dangerous phase, raising the spectre of an all-out regional conflagration. The unprecedented targeting of such a critical energy lifeline marks a sharp escalation in the war, triggering retaliatory attacks across Gulf energy infrastructure and sending shockwaves through global fuel markets.

According to regional and Western officials cited by Axios, the United States was aware of, and had approved, Israel's strike on the offshore field, which Iran shares with Qatar. However, U.S. President Donald Trump later denied prior knowledge of the operation following Iran's retaliation against Qatar's Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility.

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The Israeli strike marks a significant expansion of the conflict, targeting not only military assets but also vital economic infrastructure. Analysts warn that the move could destabilize global energy markets and draw multiple Gulf nations deeper into the confrontation.

Iran Strikes Back Across Gulf Energy Sites

Iran responded with a sweeping campaign targeting energy facilities in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. Qatari officials confirmed that missiles struck the Ras Laffan LNG facility - one of the world's most important gas export hubs - sparking“sizeable fires and extensive further damage”.

Although firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control, production had already been halted due to earlier attacks. Officials warned that the damage could significantly delay Qatar's ability to resume exports even after hostilities subside.

In Kuwait, a drone strike ignited a fire at the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery, one of the largest in the region, with a capacity of 730,000 barrels per day. Authorities reported no casualties.

Meanwhile, in the United Arab Emirates, officials shut down operations at the Habshan gas facility and the Bab oil field following overnight Iranian strikes, calling them a“dangerous escalation”.

The maritime situation also deteriorated sharply, with one vessel reported burning off the UAE coast and another damaged near Qatar. The incidents underscore the growing risks to shipping lanes in and around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies.

Global Energy Concerns Intensify

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The targeting of South Pars, which supplies a major portion of Iran's domestic energy needs, has heightened fears of long-term disruption. Approximately 80 percent of Iran's electricity generation depends on natural gas, making the facility crucial for household heating, cooking, and power production.

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The New York-based Soufan Centre described the strike as a“clear expansion of the conflict”, noting that Israel appears to be increasing pressure on Iran by targeting infrastructure that directly affects civilian life.

“Israel's target selection in this war has heavily focused on the institutions, leaders and infrastructure... It now seeks to inflict additional pressure on the regime by making the living conditions for civilians intolerable,” the think tank said.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the attack, warning of“uncontrollable consequences” that“could engulf the entire world.”

U.S. Warning and Diplomatic Tensions

In Washington, President Trump attempted to de-escalate the situation publicly while issuing a stark warning to Tehran. He stated that Israel would refrain from further strikes on South Pars but cautioned that any additional Iranian attacks on Qatar would trigger a severe U.S. response.

“No more attacks will be made by Israel pertaining to this extremely important and valuable South Pars Field unless Iran unwisely decides to attack a very innocent, in this case, Qatar,” Trump wrote on social media.

“In which instance the United States of America... will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before.”

Trump added,“I do not want to authorise this level of violence and destruction because of the long-term implications that it will have on the future of Iran.”

Gulf Nations Signal Possible Military Response

Saudi Arabia has signalled it may consider military action in response to continued Iranian strikes. Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said Riyadh would not yield to pressure.

“The kingdom is not going to succumb to pressure, and on the contrary, this pressure will backfire,” he said.“We have reserved the right to take military actions if deemed necessary.”

The remarks came after a regional meeting of foreign ministers in Riyadh, where Gulf states discussed coordinated responses to the escalating crisis.

Iran Appeals to United Nations

Iran's envoy to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, lodged formal complaints with the UN Security Council, accusing the United States and its regional allies of using Gulf territories to launch attacks on Iran.

“Ever since the onset of the unlawful military aggression... Qatari soil and that of neighbouring countries have been used by aggressors to conduct attacks on Iran,” the letters stated.

Iravani warned that allowing such operations violates international norms and could have serious repercussions. He further accused Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE of facilitating attacks on“thousands of civilians and non-military infrastructure”, calling the actions a“flagrant breach of the principles of mutual respect and good neighbourliness”.

Risk of Wider Conflagration

With key energy infrastructure under attack, shipping lanes threatened, and multiple regional powers on edge, analysts warn the conflict risks spiralling into a broader war with global consequences.

The latest developments have already sent fuel prices soaring, raising concerns about economic ripple effects far beyond the Middle East.

As tensions mount, the possibility of an“all-out conflagration”, once a distant fear, is now becoming an increasingly real prospect.

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