The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has issued a strong warning to Iran, threatening decisive action against the South Pars gas field if Tehran fails to halt attacks on energy infrastructure in Qatar.
The threat comes amid rising tensions following renewed strikes on key oil and gas facilities, fueling fears of a prolonged conflict that could disrupt global energy supply.
Oil prices have already surged by about five per cent as markets react to the growing instability, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for nearly one-fifth of the world’s crude shipments. Tanker movements through the route have slowed significantly due to security concerns.
Iran has reportedly launched retaliatory strikes on Gulf energy assets, including Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG facility—one of the largest of its kind globally—causing damage, though authorities say fires were contained.
Tehran said the attacks were in response to an earlier Israeli strike on its South Pars gas field, part of a vast natural gas reserve shared with Qatar.
Reacting via social media, Trump denied that the United States had prior knowledge of the Israeli operation, stating that Washington “knew nothing” about the strike.
He called for an immediate halt to attacks on energy infrastructure, adding that no further strikes would occur on Iran’s gas facilities if Tehran ceases its actions against Qatar.
However, he warned that failure to comply could trigger a major military response targeting the South Pars field.
The conflict, which escalated in late February, has led to significant casualties and heightened instability across the region.
Among those reported killed are senior Iranian figures, including intelligence chief Esmail Khatib, while former official Ali Larijani was also previously assassinated.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the killings, while the country’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, vowed retaliation.
The violence has spread beyond Iran and Israel, affecting multiple countries across the Middle East. In Israel, missile attacks have caused fatalities, while in the West Bank, debris from strikes has also led to civilian deaths.
Qatar confirmed its emergency teams successfully contained fires caused by missile attacks, while Saudi Arabia reported intercepting drones targeting its energy facilities.
The crisis has also extended to Lebanon, where Hezbollah has intensified rocket attacks, prompting Israeli airstrikes in Beirut and forcing thousands of residents to flee.
Amid the escalating conflict, Emmanuel Macron revealed he has held discussions with Trump and Qatar’s leadership, urging an immediate halt to attacks on civilian infrastructure.
In a related development, the Iran-backed group Kataeb Hezbollah announced a temporary suspension of attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad, suggesting a brief pause in hostilities as diplomatic efforts continue.