According to information provided by Iranian state television, Iran reported that airstrikes carried out by the US and Israel have damaged its largest gas field, South Pars, and related infrastructure, as reported by Bloomberg.
It has also been revealed that the strikes targeted oil and petrochemical facilities located in the nearby city of Asaluyeh.
In response, Iran issued an emergency warning calling for the evacuation of petrochemical facilities in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, according to Clash Report.
Iran is prepared to respond to the attacks by targeting "enemy infrastructure that was previously considered safe," Fars news agency reports, citing sources in the Iranian armed forces.
According to sources, the attack on gas facilities is being viewed as a "war crime" that will not go unpunished, Fars reports.
The spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, Majed al-Ansari, commented: "Israel's strikes on the Iranian South Pars facility, which borders Qatar's North field, are a dangerous and irresponsible step amid the current military escalation in the region."
He also emphasized that attacks on energy infrastructure threaten global energy security and the safety of the region's population, as well as the environment.
“We reiterate the need to avoid attacks on critical infrastructure and urge all parties to exercise restraint, adhere to international law, and strive for de-escalation to ensure security and stability in the region,” al-Ansari added.
According to the Iranian news agency Fars, the situation at the gas processing plant in South Pars is under control following reports of an Israeli attack, according to the governor of Asaluyeh.
According to Fars, firefighters have managed to extinguish the fire, and no casualties have been reported so far.
Iran has the potential for further escalation in the Persian Gulf, which could continue for "months or years," reports FT.
Experts warn that Tehran may significantly intensify its actions against energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf, especially after a successful attack on an operational oil and gas field.
Amid limited exports and a lack of storage capacity, many oil and gas fields are suspending production. Tehran is also targeting ports, fuel depots, refineries, and gas processing plants.
Fujairah port, which is a key export route for the UAE and is located outside the Strait of Hormuz, remains closed following attacks that occurred this week. Iran may also shift its focus to other energy export routes from the Middle East, such as the Saudi "East-West" pipeline to the Red Sea or pipelines from Iraq through Turkey.
According to MST Financial analyst Sol Kavonik, Iran may intend to inflict long-term damage on oil and gas production by attacking liquefied natural gas production facilities or major fields.
He stated that a strike on an LNG plant "would be the worst-case scenario," as restoring some equipment could take "several years."
Rob West from the consulting firm Thunder Said Energy noted that, given that it is impossible to intercept all Iranian drones, Tehran could use them for "serious disruption of international infrastructure and shipping for months or even years."
The EU expresses concerns about panic buying and rising gas prices — reports Politico.
The European Union requires its member states to maintain gas reserves at 90% of total capacity by the winter season — this measure was introduced after the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022. However, due to a cold winter, reserves had fallen to less than 30% by March, the lowest level since 2022.
In light of the sharp increase in gas prices following the Iranian attacks, which effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, the task of replenishing gas reserves for the next winter has become risky.
Government officials and industry representatives warn that countries may rush to meet these targets simultaneously. If the rules are not relaxed, this could lead to increased demand and allow traders to raise prices.
At least three countries believe that the EU executive should introduce flexible frameworks, including a reduction of the target by 30%, as two sources reported. States are also calling for the establishment of a new EU mechanism to coordinate gas purchases, they added.
The record that Iran intends to strike "enemy infrastructure" in connection with attacks on gas fields first appeared in K-News.
