ALBAWABA- An Israeli airstrike on Iran’s South Pars gas field, the world’s largest natural gas reserve, has intensified fears of a broader regional escalation, as Iran warned it may target key energy facilities across the Gulf.
The strike, carried out on Wednesday as part of the ongoing U.S.–Israeli military aggression against Iran that began on 28 February 2026, hit gas processing infrastructure in Asaluyeh in southern Iran. The operation, conducted with approval and coordination from the United States administration, triggered a fire and disrupted significant portions of gas production.
Qatar, which shares the offshore field with Iran, strongly condemned the attack. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari called it a “dangerous and irresponsible escalation,” warning of its direct impact on jointly managed energy infrastructure.
Reports of strikes this morning against energy infrastructure associated with the South Pars Natural Gas Field in the Bushehr Province of Southern Iran by Israel and/or the United States. Such strikes represent yet another major escalation in the Iran War, with Iran having… pic.twitter.com/bAd4MPdF5y
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 18, 2026
Tehran’s response was swift and pointed. Media outlets linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared several U.S.-run Gulf energy facilities “legitimate targets,” warning they could be struck within hours. Among the sites named were major oil and gas installations in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, with calls for workers and residents to evacuate immediately.
The White House confirmed its role in coordinating the strike. President Donald Trump said operations are “rapidly putting them out of business,” though he had previously voiced caution about targeting energy infrastructure due to potential global economic repercussions.
The strike marks a significant escalation in the three-week conflict, which has already included Iranian retaliatory attacks on Gulf energy assets. This incident has heightened concerns over potential disruptions to global oil and gas supplies and the risk of a wider regional confrontation.
