Daijiworld Media Network - Doha
Doha, Mar 19: Global energy markets were shaken early Thursday after QatarEnergy confirmed that Iran targeted critical infrastructure at Ras Laffan Industrial City, home to some of the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities.
In a statement, the company said multiple LNG installations were hit in the latest strike, following an earlier attack a day before that caused extensive damage to the Pearl Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) plant. The strikes triggered fires and significant structural damage, though authorities said emergency teams responded swiftly and no casualties have been reported so far.
Qatar strongly condemned the attack, terming it a blatant violation of international law and warning that such actions pose a serious threat to global energy security and environmental safety.
The attack is widely seen as retaliation by Iran for recent Israeli strikes on its vital energy infrastructure, including the South Pars and Asaluyeh gas fields. The escalation follows a series of high-profile killings of senior Iranian officials, further intensifying tensions in the region.
South Pars, the world’s largest natural gas field, accounts for a major share of Iran’s gas production and is crucial to its energy and petrochemical sectors. The field is shared with Qatar, where it is known as the North Field, making attacks on either side highly sensitive.
Analysts note that the conflict has now shifted towards targeting economic lifelines, particularly energy assets, in an attempt to weaken rival economies.
In the aftermath, US President Donald Trump appeared to tone down his stance, distancing the United States from Israel’s strike on South Pars and urging restraint.
He stated that Washington had no prior knowledge of the Israeli operation and described Iran’s strike on Qatar as “unjustified and unfair.” At the same time, Trump warned Tehran against further escalation, saying any future attack on Qatar could invite a strong US response targeting Iran’s own energy infrastructure.
Ras Laffan is one of the world’s most critical LNG hubs, with Qatar being among the largest exporters of liquefied natural gas used in power generation and industry worldwide. Any sustained disruption at the facility could have far-reaching consequences for global energy supply and prices.
With tensions escalating and key energy assets increasingly under threat, experts warn that further attacks could trigger a major global natural gas crisis, impacting economies far beyond the Middle East.