Iran threatens Gulf energy targets after key Pars gas field hit
Iranian gas facilities in the Gulf came under attack on Wednesday, state media reported, prompting Tehran to say it would target a range of energy installations across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar “in the coming hours”. Oil prices jumped on the news, with Brent crude futures gaining more than 6 per cent…
Iranian gas facilities in the Gulf came under attack on Wednesday, state media reported, prompting Tehran to say it would target a range of energy installations across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar “in the coming hours”.
Oil prices jumped on the news, with Brent crude futures gaining more than 6 per cent to a session high just shy of US$110 per barrel.
The attacks on Iran’s energy industry in South Pars and Asaluyeh have raised concerns that Iran could also target infrastructure of global energy majors across the Gulf and alternative regional export routes such as Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea port of Yanbu, prolonging a conflict that has already effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz.
The Qatari foreign ministry spokesman said Wednesday’s attack was a “dangerous and irresponsible” escalation that put global energy security at risk, and the UAE stressed the need to avoid targeting vital facilities. Qatar called it an Israeli attack without mentioning any US role.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Qatar has fully shut its liquefied natural gas production because of the war, and any damage to facilities could extend the outage beyond May, threatening to keep a fifth of global LNG supply offline.
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US-Israel war on Iran is as reckless and catastrophic as it is stupid and illegal
US-Israel war on Iran is as reckless and catastrophic as it is stupid and illegal
Tasnim news agency said Wednesday’s attacks targeted petrochemical facilities in South Pars and added the extent of the damage was not yet clear.
