According to the Associated Press, sources said that the United States was aware of Israel's plan to strike Iran's South Pars gas field in advance but did not participate in the operation. The source did not specify whether the Trump administration supported this decision. South Pars is part of the world's largest gas field and also a cornerstone of Iran's domestic energy system. After the attack was reported, markets immediately worried that Iran would retaliate against Gulf energy infrastructure, causing international oil and gas prices to rise rapidly. Several hours later, Iran fired ballistic missiles at Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar, hitting the location of the world's largest liquefied natural gas facility and causing a fire. Qatar stated that the attack caused "extensive" damage and ordered some Iranian embassy staff to leave. Ras Laffan houses Qatar Energy's liquefied natural gas plants and refining facilities, as well as Shell's large-scale gas-to-liquids project. Analysts warned that if core production capacity is damaged, global natural gas supply could face sustained tension, as the facility normally accounts for about one-fifth of global liquefied natural gas supply. This strike indicates that Iran's retaliation has moved from threats to direct attacks on key energy targets in the Gulf, further worsening an already strained global energy market due to disruptions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
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Original: toutiao.com/article/1860060079205385/
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