Facilities linked to Iran’s oil and gas industry in South Pars and Asaluyeh were targeted by an Israeli airstrike on Wednesday, a source confirmed to The Jerusalem Post.
The South Pars gas field is the largest natural gas reserve in the world and is jointly operated by Iran and Qatar.
An Israeli official said the mail that the attack was coordinated with the United States and added that the target was Iran’s largest gas facility in Bushehr.
The Tasnim news agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, corroborated that petrochemical facilities in South Pars were attacked, stating that the extent of the damage was still unclear.
Trump and his administration opposed previous attacks on oil facilities because of images of fires and resulting price increases. However, in the case of gas, this seems to be less worrying, the Israeli official explained.
Iran urges Gulf citizens to evacuate
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued evacuation warnings for several oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
Additionally, IRGC Navy Chief Alireza Tangsiri threatened retaliation against US facilities in the Gulf and warned civilians and workers to stay away. “Our target list is updated. Oil facilities associated with the United States are now on par with US bases and will be attacked in full force,” Tangsiri wrote on X/Twitter.
Iran’s warning also targeted Saudi Arabia’s Samref refinery and Jubail petrochemical complex, the United Arab Emirates’ Al Hosn gas field and Qatar’s Mesaieed petrochemical complex, Mesaieed holding company and Ras Laffan refinery.
“These centers have become direct and legitimate targets and will be attacked in the coming hours. Therefore, all citizens, residents and employees are requested to immediately leave these areas and move to a safe distance without delay,” the warning reads.
The international community responds to the attack
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Dr. Majed al-Ansari issued a statement in response to the Israeli attack on facilities linked to Iran’s South Pars gas field in a post on X/Twitter.
Ansari described the attack as “a dangerous and irresponsible step amid the ongoing military escalation in the region.”
He stated: “Attacking energy infrastructure constitutes a threat to global energy security, as well as to the people of the region and their environment.”
Ansari urged all parties to exercise restraint and work to reduce tension.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday also condemned the attack near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant and called on the United States and Israel to stop attacking the Islamic Republic’s nuclear facilities.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the ministry, made the comments at a press conference. Russia built the Bushehr plant and helps Iran run it. Iran told the International Atomic Energy Agency on Tuesday that the attack had caused no damage or injuries.
The IAEA confirms that a structure 350 meters from the reactor of the Iranian nuclear power plant in Bushehr was hit by a projectile
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed Wednesday that a structure 350 meters from the reactor at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant was hit and destroyed.
There was no damage to the reactor itself or injuries to staff, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said.
James Genn contributed to this report.
