Iran targeted energy infrastructure in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE on March 19, 2026, in retaliation for an Israeli strike on its South Pars gas field shared with Qatar. Brent crude prices soared past $115 per barrel, with European gas prices rising over 30%, amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Leaders including US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traded statements on coordination and future actions.
On March 18, 2026, Israel struck a site serving Iran's South Pars gas field, the world's largest shared with Qatar, prompting Tehran to launch attacks on Gulf energy facilities the next day. Qatar's Ras Laffan LNG facility suffered extensive damage from two waves of Iranian strikes, slashing export capacity by 17% and causing an estimated $20 billion annual revenue loss, Qatar's energy minister Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi said. 'The damage sustained by the LNG facilities will take between three to five years to repair,' he added, noting force majeure on some contracts impacting China, South Korea, Italy and Belgium. Saudi Arabia reported a drone hit on its SAMREF refinery in Yanbu, while Kuwait's Mina Abdullah and Mina Al-Ahmadi refineries were struck, sparking fires. A ship burned off the UAE coast and another was damaged off Qatar. Brent crude jumped 7% past $115 per barrel, and European gas prices rose over 30% as fears mounted over global supplies and Iran's effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of world oil and LNG passes in peacetime. US President Donald Trump said Israel 'acted alone' and the US 'knew nothing' of the strike, warning Iran against further attacks on Qatar's facilities. 'I told him, ‘Don’t do that,’' Trump said of Netanyahu. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Israel acted unilaterally on the Asaluyeh gas compound but agreed to hold off further strikes at Trump's request. He claimed Iran now has 'no capacity to enrich uranium or make ballistic missiles' after 20 days of war, and noted 'cracks' in Iranian leadership. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned of 'zero restraint' if infrastructure is hit again. Six allies—Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands—condemned Iran's attacks and pledged to contribute to safe passage efforts through the strait.
