Israel carried out an air attack against installations linked to the South Pars gas field, the largest in the world and shared with Qatar, located in the province of Bushehr. The incident occurred on Wednesday and caused visible fires in the Iranian area of the camp. The attack represents a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel, Estados Unidos and Irã, which has intensified since late February. In response, Irã launched missiles and drones against energy facilities in Golfo countries, including the Ras Laffan complex in Qatar, refineries in Kuwait, and facilities in Emirados Árabes Unidos and Arábia Saudita.
Oil prices Brent rose to around US$116 per barrel, while natural gas recorded significant increases at Europa and Estados Unidos. The disruption in Estreito from Ormuz, where Irã carried out attacks on commercial ships, contributed to the partial halt in oil tanker traffic. Autoridades Iranian officials stated that the Israeli attack damaged platforms and infrastructure connected to the field, mainly affecting domestic gas supplies in the Irã.
Attack on energy facilities
The Israeli strike focused on parts of the South Pars field that supply around 70% of the natural gas consumed internally in the Irã. Vídeos reports showed smoke and flames at offshore and onshore facilities in Asaluyeh. The field represents critical infrastructure for the Irã, used for electricity generation and industrial use.
Irã denied direct involvement of Qatar in the conflict, but accused Israel of targeting the energy sector to cause economic damage. Autoridades of Golfo condemned Iranian retaliatory strikes, highlighting risks to global supply stability.
Iranian retaliation in the Golfo
Irã carried out multiple waves of attacks on Thursday against installations in Qatar, Kuwait, and Emirados Árabes Unidos. The Ras Laffan complex suffered extensive damage, with fires at GTL and LNG plants. Refinarias in Mina Al-Ahmadi and Mina Abdullah in Kuwait recorded fires following missile impacts.
Facilities in Habshan and Bab in Emirados Árabes Unidos were also hit, as was a Saudi refinery in Yanbu. Qatar reported significant repercussions for global LNG supply, as the country accounts for around 20% of global exports.
Reactions from leaders involved
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel acted independently in the attack on South Pars and denied having drawn the Estados Unidos into the conflict. Ele stated that American decisions are independent and based on self-interest.
The president of the Estados Unidos Donald Trump stated that the Estados Unidos were not informed in advance about the Israeli strike and that Qatar had no participation. Ele threatened that, in the event of further Iranian attacks on Qatari installations, the Estados Unidos would completely destroy the South Pars camp with unprecedented force.
Impacts on global markets
Brent advanced more than 5% amid uncertainty in Estreito from Ormuz, where Iranian attacks have paralyzed shipping traffic. Natural gas Henry Hub rose 5%, while the European TTF registered an increase of 24%. Mercados shares retreated, with falls in Europa and Ásia reflecting fears of stagflation.
Experts indicate that the conflict now directly affects energy infrastructure, increasing risks for the global economy. Países allies issued a joint statement condemning attacks on civilian sites and calling for a moratorium on actions against energy facilities.
Ongoing military operations
American forces carried out precision strikes on more than 90 targets on the island of Kharg, Iran’s main oil export terminal. Ataques continued in mine dumps, naval bases and militant groups supported by Irã into Iraque.
Israel expanded operations to Iranian naval installations in Mar Cáspio. The Irã launched six waves of missiles at Israel, including cluster bombs, with most intercepted but causing injuries and deaths from debris.
Diplomatic positions
The Iranian minister of Relações Exteriores stated that the initial response used a fraction of the available power and that there would be zero containment in the event of further attacks on infrastructure. The Qatar prime minister condemned Iranian attacks as dangerous to global supplies.
The Omã and Iraque issued condemnations of attacks on regional energy facilities, calling for diplomacy to preserve stability. Aliados Westerners declared themselves ready to contribute to the security of Estreito from Ormuz.