Iran Signals Threat to Gulf Energy Sites After Southern Attack

Iran’s oil facilities in South Pars and Asaluyeh were struck on Wednesday, sparking a warning from Tehran that it could hit energy sites in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. The news sent Brent crude futures up more than 6 %, almost reaching $110 a barrel. Analysts say an assault on South Pars could trigger Iran’s retaliation against Gulf energy assets, especially those owned by major oil companies in Qatar. Qatar blamed Israel for the strike, calling it a “dangerous and irresponsible” escalation that jeopardises global energy security. The Israeli army has not yet commented on the incident. Because of the war, Qatar has stopped all liquefied natural gas production, cutting 20 % of global LNG supplies. Damage to its facilities could prolong the shutdown past May. Tasnim news reported that petrochemical plants in South Pars were hit, but the full extent of damage remains unclear.After the attack, Iran halted gas exports to Iraq, diverting the supply for domestic use. Iraq relies on 33‑40 % of its gas and power from Iran, according to a senior Iraqi official. The Revolutionary Guards issued evacuation orders for Saudi Arabia’s Samref Refinery, the UAE’s Al Hosn Gas Field, and Qatar’s Mesaieed Petrochemical Complex, among others. They warned that these sites could be struck “in the coming hours. ” South Pars holds about a third of the world’s largest natural‑gas reservoir, shared with Qatar. Most of Iran’s 276 billion cubic meters of gas production in 2024 is used domestically, with 94 % consumed within the country. The ongoing U. S. –Israeli conflict and Iran’s attacks on Gulf neighbours have already disrupted oil and gas exports from the Middle East, forcing production stoppages.