Iran Strikes Qatar Refinery and Targets Saudi Arabia Following Major Attack on Pars Gas Field

Iran’s Pars gas field was struck on Wednesday, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel. This attack has led to a surge in oil prices and prompted Iran to target Qatar and launch missiles at Saudi Arabia.

Damage Reported in Qatar

QatarEnergy, the state oil company of Qatar, reported “extensive damage” to the Ras Laffan Industrial City, a key energy hub, following missile strikes attributed to Iran. The attack has raised concerns about the stability of energy supplies in the region.

In response to the missile threat, Saudi Arabia announced that it had intercepted and destroyed four ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh, along with thwarting a drone attack on a gas facility in the eastern part of the country. This escalation could exacerbate an already unprecedented disruption to global energy supplies, significantly impacting political dynamics, particularly for U.S. President Donald Trump.

Rising Energy Prices and Economic Implications

The conflict has already halted shipping from one of the world’s most critical energy-producing regions, leading to fears of lasting damage to its infrastructure. Benchmark Brent crude prices surged by approximately 5 percent, crossing the $108 mark. In the United States, diesel prices have exceeded $5 per gallon for the first time since the inflation spike in 2022, which had previously undermined support for former President Joe Biden.

U.S. producer prices have also seen their most significant increase in seven months, driven by rising costs across various sectors. U.S. Vice President JD Vance indicated that the Trump administration would announce measures within the next 24 to 48 hours to address the escalating gas prices.

Context of the Conflict

The Pars gas field, located in Iran, is part of the world’s largest natural gas deposit, which Iran shares with Qatar. Reports from Israeli media suggest that the recent attack was executed by Israel with U.S. consent, although neither nation has officially acknowledged responsibility.

Iran’s Fars news agency confirmed that gas tanks and parts of a refinery were damaged, noting that workers had been evacuated and that the fire was under control. Qatar, a close ally of the U.S. that hosts the largest American airbase in the region, condemned the attack, labeling it “dangerous and irresponsible” and asserting that it jeopardizes global energy security.

Historically, the U.S. and Israel have refrained from targeting Iran’s energy production facilities to avoid provoking Iranian retaliation against neighboring oil and gas industries. However, Iran has already closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas supply flows. Despite this, consuming nations remain hopeful that the disruption will be short-lived if production infrastructure remains intact.

Military Escalation and Regional Tensions

The situation escalated further when the Israeli military conducted airstrikes in central Beirut, resulting in the destruction of apartment buildings in one of the most intense bombardments the Lebanese capital has seen in decades. On the same day, Israel reportedly killed Iran’s intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib, following the assassination of influential security chief Ali Larijani. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that “no one in Iran has immunity and everyone is in the crosshairs,” emphasizing the Israeli military’s mandate to target senior Iranian officials without needing additional approval.

In Tehran, thousands gathered for funerals for Larijani and other slain figures. In retaliation for Larijani’s death, Iran launched missiles at Israel, with Israeli authorities reporting that two individuals were killed near Tel Aviv. Iran claimed to have targeted multiple locations, including Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Beersheba, as well as U.S. bases in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

Humanitarian Impact and Casualties

In Beirut’s Bachoura district, Israeli forces warned residents to evacuate a building used by Hezbollah before demolishing it. Local resident Abu Khalil described the operation as an attempt to instill fear in the population, particularly among children.

Inside Israel, the ambulance service reported injuries to a 44-year-old man and two children, aged 13 and 12, following an Iranian missile strike in Petah Tikva, located east of Tel Aviv. Human rights organization HRANA reported that over 3,000 individuals have died in Iran since the onset of U.S.-Israeli attacks on February 28. In Lebanon, authorities reported approximately 900 fatalities and 800,000 displaced individuals due to the ongoing conflict. Iranian strikes have also resulted in casualties in Iraq and across Gulf states, with 14 reported deaths in Israel.

For further details, visit the source: www.arnnewscentre.ae.

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Published on 2026-03-19 00:27:00 • By the Editorial Desk