The attack on Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City home to one of the world’s largest LNG hubs caused extensive damage and fires, forcing the suspension of production and raising alarms across international markets already reeling from nearly three weeks of conflict.

Chain Reaction After South Pars Strike

The crisis began on March 18 when Israel conducted an airstrike on Iran’s South Pars gas field and nearby Asaluyeh facilities the largest gas reserve shared with Qatar known internationally as the South Pars/North Dome complex. That strike, which Israel says was part of its broader campaign against Iranian infrastructure, shut down significant production and sparked fires.

Iran, enraged by the attack, vowed retaliation against Gulf energy infrastructure. Within hours, its armed forces launched ballistic missiles at energy sites in Qatar, including Ras Laffan, damaging vital LNG processing and export facilities a move Qatar condemned as a “dangerous escalation” and a threat to global energy security.

Damaging Blow to Global Energy Supply

The strike on Ras Laffan a facility responsible for roughly 20% of global LNG supply has already disrupted exports and sent shockwaves through global markets. Brent crude oil prices surged above $112 per barrel following reports of damage, while natural gas benchmarks in Europe and Asia climbed sharply amid fears of supply shortages.

European gas prices rose significantly, reflecting anxiety over reduced shipments from Qatar, one of the world’s top exporters. Traders said the risk premium on energy commodities has jumped as the conflict shows no sign of abating.

Wider Regional Escalation

The strikes have widened violence across the Gulf. Iranian missiles were reportedly intercepted over Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and facilities in both countries faced operational disruptions due to falling debris and precautionary shutdowns.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister issued warnings that Iran’s “aggression is not unlimited,” while the UAE described the attacks on its gas fields as a violation of international law and a “dangerous escalation.”

Diplomatic Strains and International Reactions

Qatar expelled several Iranian military and security officials in response to the attack, condemning Tehran’s actions as a flagrant violation of its sovereignty. Regional leaders have called emergency meetings to assess the fallout and coordinate responses, but divisions remain over how to de‑escalate the conflict.

United States President Donald Trump weighed in, seeking to distance Washington from the initial South Pars strike while insisting further attacks on Qatar would trigger a significant U.S. response. Trump stated that Israel would not conduct further attacks on South Pars unless Iran attacks Qatar again, but pledged U.S. support to defend Gulf energy infrastructure.

Risk to Supply Through Critical Routes

The escalation compounds ongoing disruptions to global energy flows. The Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil and gas transits, has seen sporadic closures and increased military activity. Further strikes on energy sites risk pushing global prices higher and adding volatility to oil and gas markets already struggling with geopolitical uncertainty.

Looking Ahead: Market and Security Implications

Analysts warn the conflict could have long‑lasting repercussions far beyond the Gulf. A prolonged shutdown at Qatar’s LNG hubs could tighten global natural gas supplies for months, affecting consumers from Europe to Asia, particularly as winter demand approaches in the Northern Hemisphere. Some importing nations are now reconsidering energy diversification strategies to buffer against further disruptions.

Diplomats from around the world have called for an immediate ceasefire and protection of civilian energy infrastructure, but with military actions intensifying, the path to peace remains elusive.

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Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it would not allow “one litre of oil” to leave the Middle East while U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran continue, raising fears of a major disruption to global energy supplies. The warning comes as the conflict, which began in late February, intensifies across the region.

The threat centers on the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supply normally passes. The ongoing conflict has already effectively halted tanker traffic through the waterway for more than a week, forcing producers to slow or stop pumping as storage facilities reach capacity.

President Trump responded with a stark warning that any attempt by Iran to block the flow of oil would trigger a far more intense U.S. military response.

“If Iran does anything that stops the flow of oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America twenty times harder than they have been hit thus far,” Trump wrote in a social media post.

Despite the sharp rhetoric, Trump also suggested the conflict could end sooner than expected, saying U.S. strikes have already inflicted heavy damage on Iran’s military infrastructure. However, he has not clearly defined what would constitute victory in the war.

The conflict has taken a heavy toll on Iran, where officials say more than 1,300 civilians have been killed and thousands wounded in air and missile strikes carried out by the United States and Israel since late February. Key infrastructure, including oil facilities and military sites, has also been damaged.

Iran has shown little sign of backing down. The appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader has been interpreted by analysts as a signal that Tehran intends to maintain a hard-line stance despite mounting military pressure.

The escalating confrontation has rattled global financial markets and sent oil prices swinging sharply as traders assess the risk of a prolonged disruption to Middle East energy supplies.

Diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider regional war are ongoing, but with both sides issuing increasingly severe warnings, the situation remains highly volatile.

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The hostilities began on February 28, when a large scale wave of approximately 900 airstrikes carried out by forces from the United States and Israel targeted Iranian missile facilities, air defense systems, and key leadership positions across the country. According to reports circulating during the conflict, the strikes also resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, though the broader implications of the leadership crisis continue to unfold.

In response to the attacks, Iran launched waves of missiles and drones aimed at Israeli cities as well as U.S. military bases across the region, including locations in the Gulf. The retaliatory strikes have significantly raised tensions across the Middle East and sparked fears of a wider regional war.

Speaking during parliamentary proceedings, Ghalibaf dismissed the idea of negotiations at this stage of the conflict, emphasizing that Iran’s priority remains responding to the attacks and defending the country’s sovereignty. He stated that Iran would not consider halting its operations until its objectives are met.

The escalation has triggered global concern, with international leaders urging restraint as the exchange of strikes continues. Analysts warn that the ongoing confrontation could draw in additional regional actors and further destabilize the Middle East if diplomatic channels fail to reopen.

The conflict in the Middle East intensified on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States should play a role in selecting Iran’s next leader, while Israel ordered residents of southern Beirut to evacuate ahead of potential military strikes.

The developments come as the war involving Iran, Israel and the United States expands across multiple fronts, raising fears of a broader regional conflict affecting the Middle East and beyond.

Trump calls for U.S. influence in Iran’s leadership transition

In comments reported Thursday, Trump said Washington should be involved in choosing the successor to Iran’s late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a recent airstrike in Tehran amid escalating hostilities.

Trump argued that the United States must ensure Iran’s future leadership does not continue the policies of the previous government.

“We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran,” Trump said, while also dismissing the possibility of Khamenei’s son becoming the next supreme leader.

Under Iran’s constitution, the country’s Assembly of Experts, an 88-member clerical body, is responsible for selecting the next supreme leader. Officials have indicated the process may already be close to completion as the country grapples with war and political instability.

The comments have sparked debate internationally, with critics warning that direct foreign influence in Iran’s leadership transition could further inflame tensions.

Israel orders evacuation in southern Beirut

Meanwhile, Israel issued evacuation orders for residents in the southern suburbs of Beirut, a densely populated area believed to be a stronghold of the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

The Israeli military instructed civilians to move north and east of the area, warning that remaining in the zone could put their lives at risk.

The evacuation order triggered panic and heavy traffic as thousands of residents attempted to flee the area. Local reports described crowded roads, gunfire in parts of the suburb of Dahiyeh, and disruptions near Beirut’s international airport.

According to Lebanese authorities, Israeli strikes earlier this week have already killed more than 100 people in Lebanon, including several children.

War spreads across the region

The fighting is part of a wider conflict that erupted after a series of Israeli and U.S. strikes targeted Iranian military infrastructure and leadership positions across Iran.

The killing of Khamenei dramatically escalated tensions and prompted retaliatory actions from Iranian-aligned groups throughout the region. Hezbollah launched attacks against Israel shortly afterward, leading to Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon.

The war has also disrupted regional stability, with missile attacks, drone strikes and military operations reported across several countries.

Officials say the conflict has already resulted in more than 1,000 deaths in Iran, over 100 in Lebanon, and casualties in Israel and among U.S. forces.

Growing fears of wider regional escalation

International observers warn that the conflict could widen further if diplomatic efforts fail.

Iran has accused the United States of entering the war on Israel’s behalf and vowed retaliation, while Western governments have urged restraint and called for urgent diplomatic talks to prevent further escalation.

Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies report mass displacement as civilians flee major cities amid ongoing airstrikes and military operations.

With tensions continuing to rise and no immediate ceasefire in sight, analysts warn that the Middle East may be entering one of its most dangerous periods in years.

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The White House said President Donald Trump is expected to decide within two weeks whether the United States will intervene in support of Israel. However, such timelines from the president are often flexible. Meanwhile, diplomatic contacts have reportedly been ongoing between Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.

Since last Friday, Israel has conducted sustained aerial attacks on Iranian targets, citing concerns over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. Iran, which denies seeking nuclear weapons, has responded with its own strikes targeting Israeli cities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the hospital strike, which damaged the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, and warned that Iran would pay a “full price.” Netanyahu suggested the Iranian regime could ultimately fall but stated that change must come from within Iran.

Israeli military officials accused Iran of intentionally targeting civilians, stating that a missile carrying cluster munitions caused widespread damage. This was reportedly the first use of such weapons in the current conflict.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they were aiming for military and intelligence facilities near the hospital, a claim denied by Israeli authorities, who said no such installations were nearby.

In retaliation, Israel struck the headquarters of Iran’s internal security forces in Tehran. Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the military had been ordered to increase attacks on strategic targets to neutralize threats and undermine the leadership of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iranian air defenses were active Thursday night, engaging what state media described as “hostile targets” over northern Tehran. The broader objective of Israel’s campaign, according to various sources, is to not only degrade Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities but also to destabilize Khamenei’s government.

Netanyahu reportedly aims to pressure Iran into significant concessions—dismantling its nuclear enrichment programs, ballistic missile initiatives, and support for militant groups across the region.

Iran’s top security body warned that its strategy could change if a third nation were to join Israel in the conflict—a veiled reference to potential U.S. involvement.

Earlier, Israeli forces struck Iran’s nuclear facilities at Natanz, Isfahan, and the partially completed Arak heavy-water reactor. Satellite imagery released by a research organization showed significant damage to the Arak site, including a large breach in the reactor’s roof and destroyed infrastructure.

Heavy-water reactors are capable of producing plutonium, which can be used for nuclear weapons. A former nuclear inspector said Israel likely targeted the facility to prevent it from becoming operational next year.

Israel’s military campaign has reportedly decimated Iran’s upper military command and caused hundreds of fatalities. Iran’s retaliatory strikes have killed at least two dozen civilians in Israel.

On Thursday, Iran said it had launched combined drone and missile attacks on military and industrial targets tied to Israel’s defense sector in Haifa and Tel Aviv.

Iranian officials are also weighing broader strategic responses. One lawmaker on the country’s national security committee suggested Iran might consider closing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route.

Multiple Fronts, Mounting Casualties

Israel continues to face conflict on several fronts following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack that sparked the Gaza war. Since then, Israel has carried out strikes against Iranian-linked groups in Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen.

The full scope of the damage inside Iran remains unclear. Authorities have stopped providing casualty updates, media outlets have limited reporting, and internet access has been severely restricted.

In Tehran, a resident described seeing children and women killed in an Israeli strike that hit a residential building near his home. “Is this what liberation looks like? Leave our country alone,” he said.

Jerusalem/Tehran — June 17, 2025 — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel’s air force is now in control of the airspace over Tehran, as the Israel–Iran conflict escalates further into its fifth day. The claim marks a dramatic turn in the conflict, though Iran continues to strike back with lethal force.

Netanyahu’s comments followed a bold Israeli airstrike on Iran’s state-run television station in Tehran on Monday, which interrupted a live broadcast and sent a reporter fleeing off camera just seconds after an on-air explosion.

Despite Israel’s air dominance, Tehran’s missile response remains potent. A new wave of Iranian missile attacks killed at least eight people inside Israel on Monday evening, according to the Israeli Health Ministry.

While Israel’s Iron Dome and Arrow defense systems have intercepted many of the missiles launched from Iran, defense officials admit that some projectiles are still breaching the country’s airspace with “deadly precision.”

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said it would “continue offensive operations as long as necessary to neutralize the threat posed by the Iranian regime.”

Global concern continues to mount, with leaders at the G7 Summit in Canada urging restraint and immediate steps toward de-escalation. Meanwhile, analysts warn that both sides are approaching a point of no return in what could become a sustained regional war.