Middle East Energy Crisis Escalates Sharply! Iran's Critical Natural Gas Facilities Targeted by Israeli Strikes

Cailian Press, March 18 (Editor: Niu Zhanlin) According to CCTV News, Iran’s large South Pars gas field was attacked on Wednesday local time. This is the first strike against Iran’s energy infrastructure in the Gulf region during the US-Israel war, marking a significant escalation of the conflict. Iran immediately warned neighboring countries to evacuate their energy facilities.

It is reported that the South Pars gas field is one of the largest in the world, shared by Iran and Qatar across the Gulf. Iran’s Fars News Agency reported that gas storage tanks and some refining facilities were hit, and workers have been evacuated to safe locations. Emergency personnel are attempting to extinguish the fire.

Israeli media reported that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) attacked Iran’s “largest natural gas facility” in Bushehr, southern Iran. The attack was carried out by Israel with US approval.

Qatar claimed that the attack was launched by Israel but did not mention the US role. A Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the action was a “dangerous and irresponsible escalation” that threatens global energy security.

Subsequently, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued an urgent warning, stating that oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar have become legitimate targets and will be attacked within the next few hours. They urged residents in the affected areas to evacuate. Statements obtained by Iranian media indicated that the IRGC mentioned targets including Saudi’s Samref refinery and Jubail petrochemical complex; the UAE’s Hassa natural gas field; Qatar’s Messaieed petrochemical complex and Messaieed Holding Company; and Ras Laffan refinery.

Following this news, global benchmark Brent crude oil surged 5%, approaching $106 per barrel. US benchmark WTI crude rose 2.5% to $98 per barrel.

Previously, the US and Israel had avoided attacking Iran’s energy production facilities in the Gulf to prevent retaliation from other oil-producing countries and to avoid further disruption of the world’s largest supply chain. However, the war has now lasted nearly three weeks, with no signs of easing.

Warren Patterson, Head of Commodity Strategy at ING, wrote: “The energy markets have to continue pricing in a longer-term disruption of oil and gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Currently, there are no signs of de-escalation or recovery of oil and LNG flows.”

On Wednesday, Israel announced it had struck Iranian senior leadership for the second time in two days, killing Iran’s intelligence minister and authorizing the military to target any Iranian senior officials that can be located.

Additionally, Israel launched an airstrike on downtown Beirut, destroying several residential buildings. This was one of the most intense bombings in the city in decades.

Israeli Defense Minister Katz stated, “In Iran, no one has immunity; everyone is within reach.” He said that Prime Minister Netanyahu and himself have authorized the IDF to directly strike any Iranian senior officials whenever intelligence and operational conditions permit, without additional political approval.

This appears to be the first time Israel has publicly stated that the military can target enemy high-ranking officials without case-by-case approval. The defense minister did not specify when this authorization took effect.

On the same day, Iran launched missile attacks in retaliation for the death of Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani. Israeli authorities reported that the strikes killed two people near Tel Aviv. Iran claimed that during the night, missiles were fired at Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Berytus in Israel, as well as US military bases in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

Against this backdrop, global energy supplies face unprecedented shocks, significantly increasing political pressure on US President Trump.

According to the US Automobile Association (AAA), the average gasoline price has risen to $3.84 per gallon, the highest since September 2023. US diesel prices have exceeded $5 per gallon for the first time since the inflation surge of 2022, which previously weakened support for former President Biden.