Iran War Escalates, Energy Prices Spike After Israeli Strike on South Pars Gas Field An Israeli strike on Iran’s South Pars natural gas field has intensified the conflict, prompting Iran to retaliate with attacks on energy infrastructure across the region. The assault has pushed oil and gas prices to record highs, with Iran threatening "zero restraint" in its response. The attack comes amid a broader escalation of hostilities, as both sides continue to strike critical facilities, disrupting global energy markets and sparking fears of further economic instability. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the U.S. has targeted over 7,000 sites in Iran, with military operations expanding deeper into Iranian territory. Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine added that the U.S. military remains committed to its campaign against Iranian infrastructure. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is seeking an additional $200 billion for the war effort, with Hegseth emphasizing that "it takes money to kill bad guys." The Israeli military launched a "wave of strikes" on Tehran, targeting what it described as "infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime" in the capital. The attacks occurred as Iranians celebrated Nowruz, the Persian New Year, and coincided with Iran’s ongoing strikes on Gulf neighbors. Heavy explosions were reported in Dubai, where air defenses intercepted incoming projectiles over the city, which was observing Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan. Iran’s retaliation included missile and drone strikes on Kuwait, with local officials confirming attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure. The Kuwaiti military reported that 18 Iranian drones targeted the nation over 24 hours, 13 of which were intercepted. Two drones struck the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery, causing a fire but no casualties.#iran #israel #pete_hegseth #dan_caine #south_pars_gas_field
Potential Bab al-Mandeb Front Threatened if Enemy Provokes Southern Iran: Source A military source warned that Iran could open new fronts in the region if the enemy takes provocative actions in southern Iran, according to Tasnim News Agency. The source emphasized that Iran is closely monitoring enemy preparations and developments, stating that any attempt by the adversary to launch land operations in Iranian islands or inflict costs through naval movements in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman would result in unexpected countermeasures. The source highlighted that the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a critical global maritime route, is a strategic asset for Iran. They asserted that Tehran possesses both the will and capability to pose a credible threat to the strait, cautioning that the United States should avoid complicating its already precarious situation by adding another strategic challenge. The statement implied that any U.S. efforts to resolve issues in the Strait of Hormuz through misguided actions could inadvertently create additional problems. The military official concluded by stating that Iran is fully prepared to escalate tensions. They warned that if the enemy fails to learn from past mistakes, it could test Iran again, referencing the 2024 Israeli attack on the South Pars Gas Field in Asaluyeh. Iran responded with missile strikes that damaged Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City, a key liquefied natural gas export hub. U.S. President Donald Trump later intervened, distancing Washington from Israel’s attack and vowing it would not occur again. The incident underscored the volatile dynamics between regional powers and the potential for military escalation in response to perceived provocations.#iran #qatar #tasnim_news_agency #south_pars_gas_field #bab_al_mandeb_strait
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Thursday that Iran has been significantly weakened by recent US-Israeli air strikes, claiming the country can no longer enrich uranium or produce ballistic missiles. He described the joint campaign as a major victory, asserting that Iran’s military infrastructure and weapons capabilities are being "massively degraded." Netanyahu emphasized that the strikes targeted facilities critical to Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, stating, "We are destroying the factories that produce the components to make these missiles and the nuclear weapons they’re trying to build." He warned that Iran’s missile and drone arsenal would be "destroyed" in the coming weeks, though he did not provide evidence to substantiate his claims. The leader also dismissed suggestions that Israel had dragged the United States into the conflict, accusing critics of underestimating President Donald Trump’s autonomy. "Does anyone really think someone can tell Trump what to do?" Netanyahu asked, insisting that the US and Israel are "achieving goals in lightning speed" through close coordination. He denied allegations of US involvement in the strikes, stating that Israel acted independently, including a recent attack on Iran’s South Pars gas field. Netanyahu highlighted internal instability within Iran’s leadership, suggesting the regime is "showing cracks" but cautioning that its survival remains uncertain. He also hinted at the possibility of ground operations, though he did not elaborate on potential strategies. "There are many possibilities for this ground component," he said, while acknowledging that the conflict’s outcome depends on "the Iranian people" choosing to act.#iran #benjamin_netanyahu #israeli_prime_minister #south_pars_gas_field #iranian_leadership
Oil and gas prices rise after gas field strike Oil prices surged to nearly $110 a barrel after Iranian media reported an airstrike targeting a facility on the world's largest natural gas field, the South Pars gas field. The Brent crude oil benchmark reached $109.91 a barrel shortly after 14:30 GMT, marking a more than 5% increase from Tuesday’s levels. It remained above $108, though still below the peak of $116.78 seen on 9 March. The UK gas price also climbed by 6% to 143.53p a therm before retreating below the 140p mark. The price spike followed reports that Iran’s petrochemical complex on the South Pars field had been hit. Hours later, Qatar confirmed "extensive damage" at its Ras Laffan industrial site, which hosts facilities on the same field. While oil and gas prices rose sharply, they remained below earlier highs amid the conflict. Iran’s oil ministry stated that a fire at the petrochemical complex was under control, according to Tasnim, a news agency linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran’s military warned of "decisive action" in response to the strike, vowing to retaliate against the "American-Zionist enemy" if its energy infrastructure is attacked. The military emphasized that targeting such infrastructure would be "legitimate" and that it would strike the "origin of that aggression" swiftly. Qatar, which operates facilities on the gas field under the name North Dome, had previously halted production in March due to the conflict. Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman, Majed Al Ansari, called strikes on energy infrastructure a "threat to global energy security." Shortly after 1815 GMT, Qatar’s interior minister announced a fire at Ras Laffan following an Iranian attack.#iran #qatar #qatarenergy #south_pars_gas_field #ras_laffan
