Iran has expanded its military response in the ongoing West Asia conflict, launching strikes on key energy infrastructure across the Gulf, hours after reporting that its own South Pars gas field had come under attack. Tehran blamed the United States and Israel for the earlier strike on South Pars and vowed to retaliate strongly, though neither Washington nor Tel Aviv has officially commented on that specific incident.
In a rapid escalation, Iranian missiles struck Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial city, a critical hub for global liquefied natural gas exports, where fires and extensive damage have been reported at multiple LNG facilities, including the Pearl gas-to-liquids plant. Qatari authorities have condemned the attack, calling Iran a direct threat to regional stability and stating that the country reserves the right to respond. Doha also described the strikes as a flagrant violation of international law and warned of serious consequences for global energy security.
Across the wider Gulf region, air defence systems have been activated amid a wave of incoming threats targeting energy infrastructure. In the United Arab Emirates, authorities confirmed that missiles aimed at the Habshan gas facility and the Bab oil field were successfully intercepted before impact, prompting temporary suspension of operations for safety checks. UAE described the attempted strike as a terrorist act and a dangerous escalation, while affirming that all necessary measures will be taken to protect national security.
In Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Defence reported intercepting and destroying two ballistic missiles and eight drones targeting the Eastern Province, while falling debris injured four residents in Riyadh. Meanwhile, Israel says it has begun striking northern Iran for the first time since the conflict began, marking a significant widening of the theatre of operations. The United States has distanced itself from the initial strike on Iran’s South Pars facility, with President Donald Trump stating Washington had no prior knowledge of the attack and that Qatar was not involved.The developments come as the conflict enters its nineteenth day, with regional powers warning that continued attacks on energy infrastructure risk triggering wider instability across West Asia and disrupting global fuel supplies.
