Iran has halted gas supplies to Iraq and threatened attacks on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, following attacks on the South Pars gasfield and a refinery in Asaluyeh. The move comes amid escalating tensions and military actions in the region.
Escalation of Conflict
The South Pars offshore gasfield, shared by Iran and Qatar, is the world’s largest such facility. Global oil and gas prices rose sharply after the attacks, which Israeli media reports indicated were carried out by Israel in coordination with Washington, though neither country has confirmed responsibility.
The Pentagon has reportedly requested more than $200 billion from Congress to fund a potential war with Iran, according to the Washington Post. Iran’s Fars news agency characterized the strike on Asaluyeh as a shift to “full-scale economic war,” vowing a response targeting previously safe infrastructure.
Threats and Targets
Iran has identified prominent regional oil and gas targets in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar as “direct and legitimate targets,” urging evacuations before potential strikes. Analysts suggest the attacks are aimed at pressuring Iran to lift a siege on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway handling 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied gas supply.
Qatar described the attack on South Pars as a “dangerous and irresponsible step” threatening global energy security, while the United Arab Emirates warned against further attacks on vital facilities.
Military Actions and Casualties
Previously, the US and Israel had refrained from targeting Iran’s energy production facilities, avoiding Iranian retaliation against neighboring countries. However, on day 19 of the conflict, the US military used 2,200kg “bunker buster” bombs against Iranian missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz, targeting underground storage for anti-ship cruise missiles.
Israel and the US have continued air strikes across Iran, while Tehran has responded with rockets and drones targeting Israel and Arab Gulf states. An Israeli couple in their 70s were killed by a cluster missile near Tel Aviv.
Israel confirmed the killing of Iran’s intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib, in an overnight air strike, marking the third senior official killed within 24 hours. Funerals were held in Tehran for Ali Larijani, Iran’s security chief, and Gholamreza Soleimani, head of the Basij paramilitary force, with Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, promising retribution for Larijani’s death.
More than 2,000 people have been killed across the Middle East since the conflict began in late February, including over 1,200 in Iran, more than 850 in Lebanon, and 13 in Israel. Thirteen US service members have also been killed.
US director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told a Senate committee that Iran’s government has been significantly degraded but remains capable of attacking US and allied interests. Gabbard also stated that Iran did not attempt to rebuild its nuclear enrichment program following last year’s US strikes.
In southern Lebanon, the Israeli military destroyed two bridges across the Litani river, ordering residents to flee north to prevent Iranian allies Hizbullah from sending reinforcements.
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