Iran threatens Gulf energy facilities after Israeli attack on its largest gasfield

"Iran's Revolutionary Guards have threatened counterstrikes on several energy facilities across Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar in the coming hours after state media reports that missiles had targeted its gas facilities at the giant South Pars field, the largest gas reserves in the world. The strikes on Iran's South Pars gasfield, which it shares with Qatar, were widely reported in Israeli media to have been carried out by Israel with the consent of the US."

"The attack against the heart of Iran's gas infrastructure marks a key escalation in US and Israeli military operations. The two countries have until now largely spared Iran's oil and gas sector and helped to keep a lid on the global oil price surge. The oil price climbed towards $110 a barrel on Wednesday afternoon as the mounting threat to the Gulf's oil and gas infrastructure fuelled concerns over more disruption to global supplies."

"Iran's state media identified Saudi Arabia's Samref refinery and Jubail petrochemical complex, the UAE's al-Hosn gasfield and Qatar's Mesaieed petrochemical complex and holding company, and the Ras Laffan refinery as targets for the regime. These centres have become direct and legitimate targets and will be targeted in the coming hours. Therefore, all citizens, residents, and employees are requested to immediately leave these areas and move to a safe distance without any delay."

Iran's Revolutionary Guards have threatened counterstrikes against energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar following reported Israeli attacks on Iran's South Pars gasfield, the world's largest gas reserves shared with Qatar. This marks the first targeted assault on Iran's fossil fuel production since the war began and represents a significant escalation in US-Israeli military operations, as both countries had previously avoided Iran's oil and gas sector. Iran identified specific targets including Saudi Arabia's Samref refinery and Jubail petrochemical complex, the UAE's al-Hosn gasfield, and Qatar's Mesaieed petrochemical complex and Ras Laffan refinery. Oil prices climbed toward $110 per barrel amid concerns over disrupted global supplies and the ongoing Strait of Hormuz blockade. Iranian officials characterized the escalation as economic warfare.

Read at www.theguardian.com