Iran Carries Out Strikes on Energy Sites in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Other Gulf Countries Amid Escalating Tensions
Iran launched a series of attacks overnight on energy infrastructure in four Gulf countries: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE. These strikes came in response to earlier incidents, including the killing of Ali Larijani, an attack on Iran’s intelligence minister, targeting of a senior commander, and strikes on Iranian gas facilities like South Pars.
What was announced from Iran’s side was that now we are going to take big revenge. Firstly, revenge for the murder of Ali Larijani also had to be taken. After that, his intelligence minister, who was a senior intelligence officer, was also attacked. Along with this, one of their commanders was also targeted within the last two days and along with that, there was an attack on Iran’s gas facilities. So Iran had said that now you will see what happens in the next 12 hours.
Iran’s National Gas Company stated that the fire at South Pars
From Iran’s side, one attack after another has been carried out on four different countries. These are just the developments from last night. These attacks have taken place on four different countries within just a few hours of the night and these are the most serious attacks till date which have taken place within the last 8 hours.
Iran’s National Gas Company stated that the fire at South Pars, caused by a US-Israeli attack on gas infrastructure around 2:00 pm local time, has now been brought under control. Parts of refinery units were damaged, but there was no loss of life, all personnel are safe, gas production continues safely, and the national gas network remains stable with no interruptions in supply or transmission.
Response teams are handling the situation, cooling operations are underway, and normalcy is expected soon. The field supplies gas to domestic consumers and the chartered sector, and the company emphasized no major disruption occurred.
Iran expressed strong anger over these prior attacks. President Masoud Pezeshkian strongly condemned the targeting of energy infrastructure in Iran, stating that such global operations will not benefit the American enemy and its supporters but will complicate the situation and risk uncontrolled effects impacting the entire world.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Israel shows no regard for the consequences of its heinous terrorist methods, and the international community should not ignore this negligence, as every action has a reaction.
Qatar’s Ministry of Defence reported that Iran fired five ballistic missiles toward the country
Qatar’s Ministry of Defence reported that Iran fired five ballistic missiles toward the country. Four were intercepted with help from Israeli defense systems, but one hit Ras Laffan Industrial City, causing a fire. Civil defence teams are working to control it. Qatar Energy confirmed massive damage from missile strikes on Ras Laffan, with multiple fires and widespread effects still being assessed. It is unclear if missiles directly hit the site or if debris caused the damage.
The facility had been partially evacuated earlier after a previous drone incident on March 2 and was in the process of resuming operations.
Ras Laffan is a critical hub, handling around 20% of the world’s liquefied natural gas (LNG)
Ras Laffan is a critical hub, handling around 20% of the world’s liquefied natural gas (LNG). It processes gas from the North Field, converting it into LNG, petrol, and petrochemicals. Any prolonged shutdown could affect global gas prices, electricity generation in Europe and Asia, semiconductor production (due to helium reliance), and more. Pakistan, as a major importer of Qatari gas, could face impacts on energy costs.
The Ministry reiterated that the State of Qatar reserves its right to respond.
The Ministry reiterated that the State of Qatar reserves its right to respond. Qatar has condemned the Iranian Embassy’s military security attaché and his attack, and in a statement issued by the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he has been demanded to leave Qatar within 24 hours. He further said that this decision has been taken after the consequences of repeated attacks by Iran.
On the other hand, this was the first country and the second country. A statement from the Saudi Ministry has come out. He said that four ballistic missiles were fired towards the city of Riyadh. They were destroyed by interceptors. Debris from a ballistic missile has fallen near a refinery in Jubail, Riyadh.
Qatar strongly condemned the attack as a dangerous act of terrorism, a violation of sovereignty, and a threat to national security and regional stability. Qatar reserves the right to respond and demanded the withdrawal of Iran’s military attaché within 24 hours, citing repeated incidents.
Footage from Qatar showed flames visible from kilometers away after the explosion at Ras Laffan, with emergency services facing difficulties in controlling the intense fire typical of oil/gas infrastructure hits.
Saudi Arabia reported four ballistic missiles fired toward Riyadh, all intercepted.
Saudi Arabia reported four ballistic missiles fired toward Riyadh, all intercepted. Debris fell near a refinery in Jubail, injuring four people in a residential area and causing fires and limited financial losses. Civil defence handled the situation. Videos showed flames rising high from the refinery area, visible from long distances across Riyadh.
Attacks on Saudi Arabia have generally targeted the eastern side where most refineries are located, but hitting Riyadh directly is unprecedented. This occurred during a foreign ministers’ conference in Riyadh, attended by Pakistani officials among others. Iran had earlier threatened major Saudi installations, including the Samref refinery and Jubail petrochemical complex.
Bahrain faced strikes near an LNG refinery linked to U.S. operations and close to the Jazeera Bridge connecting Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Explosions caused visible damage to the bridge.
UAE reported missile and drone activity near the Habshan gas facility in Abu Dhabi.
UAE reported missile and drone activity near the Habshan gas facility in Abu Dhabi. Security forces responded, explosions occurred, and the facility was shut down temporarily with residents advised to stay away.
In related actions, Israel struck Iran’s South Pars gas field in the northern sector, the first such hit there since late February. Iranian authorities reported fires controlled without casualties or major supply disruptions. Israel also intercepted two Hermes drones over Tehran, while Iran claimed to have neutralized 123 incoming drones and missiles overall.
These developments have driven international oil prices sharply higher, surpassing $106 per barrel at points and nearing $109. The Ras Laffan incident raises serious concerns about global gas supply chains, energy security, and broader economic fallout.
International Sources for Further Reading
- Reuters on QatarEnergy damage and LNG impact: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/iran-attack-damage-wipes-out-17-qatars-lng-capacity-three-five-years-qatarenergy-2026-03-19
- Al Jazeera on oil prices surge and South Pars strike: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/18/oil-prices-surge-after-israeli-strike-on-iran-gasfield-irans-threats
- AP News on intensified attacks and energy risks: https://apnews.com/article/iran-iraq-us-israel-trump-march-19-2026-52e94398f2432b3aba9b02b51fbe5000
- Bloomberg on damaged energy infrastructure list: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-19/here-s-a-list-of-energy-infrastructure-damaged-in-iran-war
- New York Times on Qatar LNG attack consequences: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/19/world/middleeast/qatar-natural-gas-attacks-ras-laffan.html
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