EU urges members to start storing winter gas as Iran war causes price surge

Amid escalating tensions, a fire broke out at Kuwait's Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery on Friday following a drone attack, a day after Qatar's Ras Laffan facility was hit. These incidents occurred after Iran vowed retaliation for an Israeli strike on its South Pars gas field on Wednesday. Despite calls from European leaders to cease targeting Gulf energy infrastructure, Iran has continued its strikes and asserted its missile production remains unaffected. The escalating damage to Gulf infrastructure has caused a spike in oil and gas prices, raising concerns about potential long-term disruptions to global supplies. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims Iran's missile manufacturing capabilities are diminished, Iran maintains otherwise.

Following an Israeli attack on Iran's South Pars gasfield, Iran has warned it will show "zero restraint" if its energy infrastructure is targeted again. This statement comes after Iran retaliated with a strike on Qatar, which reportedly impacted almost 20% of Qatar's liquefied natural gas export capacity. According to an Iranian official, the retaliatory strike employed only a fraction of Iran's power, and restraint was shown only due to requests for de-escalation. The official stated that any future attacks on Iranian infrastructure will be met without restraint. The news also highlights a forecast predicting record-breaking temperatures in numerous cities by the end of the week.

In March 2026, tensions escalated between Iran and Israel, leading to attacks on energy infrastructure. The conflict began after Israel targeted Iran's South Pars gasfield. In response, Iran struck an Israeli oil refinery in Haifa and other regional energy facilities, including Qatar's Ras Laffan gas facility, potentially reducing Qatar's LNG export capacity by 17%. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran used limited force and threatened intensified strikes with "zero restraint" if its energy sites are targeted again. The attacks have raised concerns about potential disruptions to global energy supplies, particularly in Europe and Asia.

Recent attacks on energy facilities in the Gulf, including bombings by Israel on Iranian sites, have escalated tensions in the Middle East. Iran has responded by increasing attacks on its Gulf neighbors' energy infrastructure, causing significant damage that will take years to repair and potentially reduce exports, according to Qatar. Experts warn this escalation is dangerous because the Gulf region accounts for a fifth of global energy output. The risks of turning energy sites into battlefields are being discussed by experts such as Mohsen Baharvand, Jim Walsh, and John Sfakianakis, focusing on the potential for global economic disruption.

Donald Trump has threatened to destroy Iran's South Pars gas field if Tehran retaliates against Qatar following Israeli strikes on the field. This threat marks a potential escalation in the US-Israel conflict with Iran. The conflict has already impacted global energy markets, with Brent crude rising 8% and European gas prices jumping 24%. The war has cost the US an estimated $18 billion within the first six days. Labor rights activist Dolores Huerta has spoken out about abuse within the UFW movement, alongside two women who allege they were victims of grooming and abuse as children.

Donald Trump has distanced the US from an Israeli strike on Iran's South Pars gasfield in Bushehr province. Trump stated the US had "nothing to do" with the attack, which was followed by Iranian threats to strike energy facilities in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Qatar's LNG export facility and UAE gas/oil facilities were subsequently damaged in missile attacks. Trump promised no further Israeli attacks on South Pars if Iran refrains from attacking Qatar, threatening massive retaliation against the gasfield if Iran does attack Qatar. Trump denied US knowledge of the Israeli plan, despite reports that he had approved it.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Israel acted alone in attacking Iran's South Pars gas field, part of the world's largest natural gas field, amidst escalating tensions over energy infrastructure strikes. The attacks, which included Iranian retaliation against energy targets in Qatar and the Gulf, led to a spike in energy prices. While unnamed Israeli officials claimed the South Pars attack was coordinated with the US, President Trump stated he was unaware and requested no further attacks on energy targets. Netanyahu denied misleading Trump or dragging the US into the conflict. The attacks mark an escalation in the war against Iran, which has restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, impacting global energy supplies. Qatar warned of significant repercussions following an attack on its LNG processing plant, while Iran vowed to show "zero restraint" if its infrastructure is struck again.

QatarEnergy CEO Saad al-Kaabi reports that Iranian attacks have damaged Qatar's LNG infrastructure, eliminating 17% of its LNG export capacity. The attacks, occurring this week, damaged two LNG trains and a gas-to-liquids facility. Repairs are expected to take three to five years, resulting in a loss of 12.8 million tonnes of LNG production annually and an estimated $20 billion in lost revenue. The attacks followed Israeli military action and broader tensions, including Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz. QatarEnergy may need to declare force majeure on long-term contracts due to the damage. The strikes have been condemned by Arab Gulf neighbors as a violation of international law.

The South China Morning Post reports that escalating conflict between the US-Israel alliance and Iran is threatening global energy infrastructure and causing oil price volatility. Recent events include strikes on Iran's South Pars natural gas field and retaliation against Qatar's LNG facility, alongside threats to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy waterway, is reportedly closed. As a result, international oil prices have surged, with Brent futures reaching between $113 and $115. US officials warn of potential economic hardship for consumers due to rising oil prices. The article examines these developments and their potential impact on the global economy.

Oil and gas prices have surged to multi-year highs following escalating attacks between Iran and Israel on gasfields in the Middle East. Iran damaged Qatar's Ras Laffan, the world's largest LNG facility, impacting 17% of QatarEnergy's LNG export capacity and potentially taking years to repair. This attack was in response to Israel's strike on Iran's South Pars gasfield. Consequently, Brent crude oil rose by 8% to $116 a barrel, and European gas prices jumped 24% to €68 a megawatt hour. The disruption to energy supplies triggered a global stock market sell-off, with markets in Asia, Europe, and the US all declining. The attacks have altered the global gas market outlook, with potential long-term disruptions to LNG availability.

President Trump stated that the United States and Qatar were not involved in a strike on Iran's South Pars gas field. He attributed responsibility for the attack to Israel. The incident occurred at Iran's South Pars gas field, a major energy installation. Trump warned that if Iran retaliated by attacking Qatar's energy facilities, the U.S. would "massively" destroy the South Pars gas field. The statement highlights escalating tensions in the region and potential consequences for attacks on energy infrastructure.

In March 2026, Donald Trump denied US knowledge of an attack on Israel's South Pars gas field. The statement followed reports of the strike, the details of which were not provided in the article. Trump also issued a warning to Iran, cautioning against any potential attacks on Qatar. The article does not elaborate on the reasons behind the alleged Israeli strike or the potential motives for Iran targeting Qatar. The news was published on March 19, 2026.

Oil prices surged after an Israeli strike on Iran's South Pars gasfield, the world's largest, located off the coast of Bushehr province. Brent crude rose 5% to $108.66 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude gained 2.5% to $98.65. The attack prompted Iran to threaten retaliatory strikes on energy infrastructure in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, and Qatar reported a fire at its Ras Laffan gas facility after an Iranian missile attack. Disruptions to Middle Eastern oil and gas exports, including halted shipments via the Strait of Hormuz, have led to estimated output cuts of 7-10 million barrels per day. Experts fear prolonged elevated prices could trigger global inflation.

An attack targeted Iran's South Pars gas field, a large reservoir shared with Qatar. The incident is considered one of the most significant attacks on an Iranian energy site since the beginning of a U.S.-Israeli air campaign against the country. The attack caused energy prices to increase. The timing and specific details of the attack were not provided in the source material. The motivation behind the attack remains unclear.

Tensions in the Middle East are escalating following a reported Israeli strike on Iran's South Pars gas field, an action allegedly coordinated with the US. Iran confirmed the death of its intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib, and threatened retaliation against Gulf energy facilities. The UAE and Qatar condemned the attack on the gas field. Simultaneously, fighting has intensified between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Despite earlier claims of closure, Iran continues to export millions of barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, with numerous tankers traversing the waterway since the start of the conflict.

Following an alleged Israeli attack on Iran's South Pars gasfield, Iran has threatened to retaliate by striking energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. Iranian authorities, via Tasnim news agency, identified specific targets including refineries and petrochemical complexes. The alleged Israeli strike reportedly damaged facilities at the South Pars field, the world's largest gasfield, located off Iran's coast. This escalation follows ongoing strikes by Israel and the US on Iranian targets since February 28, and retaliatory attacks by Iran in the Middle East, raising concerns about the conflict's impact on global energy markets. Qatar's foreign ministry has condemned the attack on the gasfield.

Qatar's Foreign Ministry condemned an Iranian missile attack on the Ras Laffan Industrial City, a major gas facility, causing a fire and "extensive damage." The attack, which occurred on Wednesday, prompted a response from civil defense teams, though QatarEnergy reported no casualties. This incident follows Iran's threat to target Gulf region oil and gas facilities, including Ras Laffan, in retaliation for alleged Israeli attacks on Iranian gasfields. Qatar considers the attack a violation of its sovereignty and a threat to its national security. The incident also follows Qatar's suspension of LNG production on March 2 after attacks on the Ras Laffan facility and a power plant in Mesaieed Industrial City.