Israel and Iran attack gas facilities, in a major escalation that rattles markets

"Iran attacked the world's biggest liquified natural gas complex in Qatar, targeted a gas field and facility in the United Arab Emirates, fired missiles and launched drones on Saudi Arabia on Thursday following Israel's bombing of Iran's South Pars gas field a day earlier. The attacks on the gas facilities in the Gulf marked a major escalation as the war with Iran approached its third week."

"The strikes on some of the world's major gas facilities sent shockwaves across the global energy market already reeling from the consequences of Iran's chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a key conduit of the world's oil supply. Brent crude oil was above $110 a barrel in Thursday morning trading, an increase of over 50% since the start of the war on Feb. 28."

"President Trump said late Wednesday that Israel acted alone when it struck the gas field in Iran. In a Truth Social post Trump said: 'Israel, out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East, has violently lashed out at a major facility known as South Pars Gas Field in Iran.'"

Iran launched direct attacks on critical energy infrastructure across the Gulf region, targeting Qatar's liquified natural gas complex, UAE gas facilities, and Saudi Arabia with missiles and drones. These strikes followed Israel's bombing of Iran's South Pars gas field and marked a major escalation in the ongoing conflict. The attacks also included a drone strike on Kuwait's Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery. The strikes on major global gas facilities disrupted energy markets already stressed by Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude oil prices exceeded $110 per barrel, representing a 50% increase since the conflict began on February 28. President Trump stated Israel acted independently in striking South Pars and threatened severe U.S. retaliation if Iran continued attacking Qatar's infrastructure.

Read at www.npr.org