DUBAI/JERUSALEM/BEIRUT — Iran launched a wave of retaliatory strikes Thursday, targeting energy infrastructure across the Gulf, including a Saudi refinery, LNG facilities in Qatar, and oil refineries in Kuwait. The attacks followed an Israeli strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field, a move that sent global fuel prices soaring and heightened fears of a wider regional conflict. Brent crude oil surged to $114 a barrel, marking a more than 57% increase since the start of the conflict between Israel and the U.S. On February 28.
The escalating tensions are disrupting global energy supplies and raising the stakes for international powers. The attacks underscore Iran’s capacity to disrupt critical infrastructure and its willingness to escalate the conflict in response to perceived threats. The situation is particularly concerning given Iran’s strategic control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil transport, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil passes.
Energy Infrastructure Under Attack
Qatar’s state oil giant, QatarEnergy, reported “extensive damage” after the Ras Laffan Industrial City, a major energy hub, was hit by Iranian missiles. Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze, but production had already been halted due to previous attacks. Officials stated the latest missile strikes caused “sizable fires and extensive further damage,” potentially delaying Qatar’s ability to resume supplies even after the conflict ends.
Saudi Arabia reported intercepting and destroying four ballistic missiles launched towards Riyadh on March 18, as well as thwarting an attempted drone attack on a gas facility in the eastern part of the country. A drone strike also hit the SAMREF refinery in Yanbu, a Red Sea port city. The Saudi Defense Ministry stated that damage assessment was underway, noting that SAMREF is a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and ExxonMobil.
In Kuwait, a drone attack sparked a fire at the Mina al-Ahmadi refinery, one of the largest in the Middle East, with a petroleum production capacity of 730,000 barrels per day. Shortly after, a second drone attack ignited a blaze at the nearby Mina Abdullah refinery, according to officials. Authorities in Abu Dhabi were forced to shut down operations at the Habshan gas facility and Bab field following Iranian attacks and missile interceptions over the sites.
Shipping Threatened in the Persian Gulf
The attacks extended to maritime traffic, with a ship set ablaze off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and another damaged off Qatar. The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center (UKMTO) reported the incidents, noting the danger facing vessels due to Iran’s influence over the Strait of Hormuz. It remains unclear whether the ships were deliberately targeted or struck by debris from intercepted missiles.
More than 20 vessels have been attacked during the current conflict, as Iran maintains a tight grip on shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. While Iran insists the waterway remains open, access is restricted to vessels not affiliated with the U.S. Or its allies, resulting in a significant reduction in traffic.
International Condemnation and Warnings
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have all condemned the Iranian attacks. A Saudi diplomat stated that the assaults on the kingdom had “completely shattered” what little trust remained. Israel intensified strikes, targeting Beirut and killing Iranian officials, according to reports. Defence Minister Katz stated, “No one in Iran has immunity and everyone is in the crosshairs.”
The situation has prompted a response from Washington. President Donald Trump stated on social media that Israel would not attack South Pars again, but warned that if Iran continued to strike Qatar’s energy infrastructure, the U.S. Would retaliate by “massively blow[ing] up the entirety” of the field. He added, “I do not want to authorize this level of violence and destruction because of the long term implications that it will have on the future of Iran.”
Broader Regional Impact
The attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure come after Israel struck South Pars, the Iranian part of the world’s largest gas field, located offshore in the Persian Gulf. Approximately 80% of Iran’s power generation relies on natural gas, according to the International Energy Agency, making the attack a direct threat to the country’s electricity supply and household energy needs. The Soufan Center described the strike as a “clear expansion of the conflict,” noting Israel’s intent to increase pressure on Iran by worsening living conditions for civilians.
Iran has condemned the strike on South Pars, with President Masoud Pezeshkian warning of “uncontrollable consequences” that “could engulf the entire world.” Amidst the escalating conflict, Iran announced the execution of three men detained during nationwide protests in January, accused of killing two police officers. Activists have warned of potential mass executions of those detained during the protests, which were suppressed with violence that reportedly resulted in thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of detentions.
The conflict has already resulted in significant casualties. More than 1,300 people have been killed in Iran during the war, while Israeli strikes have displaced over 1 million Lebanese – roughly 20% of the population – with 968 reported deaths. In Israel, 15 people have been killed by Iranian missile fire, including a Thai agricultural worker. Three people were also killed in the occupied West Bank by an Iranian missile strike, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent. At least 13 U.S. Military members have also been killed.
The immediate focus remains on containing the escalation and preventing further attacks on critical infrastructure. Diplomatic efforts are ongoing, but a resolution remains elusive. The next key development will likely be the assessment of damage to the energy facilities and the potential impact on global energy markets.
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