The conflict in the Middle East is escalating rapidly following a joint US-Israeli attack on South Pars—the largest natural gas field in Iran and the world—as well as oil industry facilities in Asaluyeh. Simultaneously, the Revolutionary Guards are threatening a "holocaust," designating energy installations in Persian Gulf countries as legitimate targets and calling for their immediate evacuation. Qatar has also reacted vehemently, as it co-manages the giant South Pars field with Iran. Against this backdrop, the consequences for the energy sector are immediate and dramatic. The price of Brent crude has gained 5%, reaching $109.47 per barrel following the strike. American WTI crude is up 2.8% at $98.2, while European natural gas prices are also rallying, with the Dutch TTF contract rising 6.5% to €54.95.
Attack on Iran’s giant natural gas field
Specifically, Iranian oil and gas facilities came under fire from the US and Israel, as reported by the Tasnim news agency, which added that the extent of the damage has not yet been determined. According to Tasnim, the strikes targeted the South Pars gas field and the Asaluyeh region, which houses oil and petrochemical facilities co-managed by Iran and Qatar. The Fars news agency reported "powerful explosions" heard from refineries in Asaluyeh, adding that "several storage tanks and gas facility areas at different stages" of the refinery had been hit. Personnel have been moved to safe areas, according to Fars, and rescue teams are working to extinguish the fires. If confirmed, this would mark the first attack on Iran’s oil and gas production facilities in the current war.
? Irán ha emitido órdenes de evacuación para todas las instalaciones energéticas a lo largo del Golfo en Arabia Saudita, Qatar y los Emiratos Árabes Unidos luego del ataque conjunto EEUU-Israel al campo petroquímico más grandes mundo ubicado en South Pars, Irán
— Molotov (@ipoolgian) March 18, 2026
Múltiples fases… https://t.co/cGkRrKuAAP pic.twitter.com/jPXV0pGVHN
‘Irresponsible attack’ – Qatar denounces strike on South Pars
Qatar condemned the attack on energy gas facilities as "irresponsible" amid the rapid escalation of the Middle East conflict. Doha considers such actions a violation of its sovereignty and a direct threat to global energy security, as the emirate is one of the world's largest LNG exporters. Meanwhile, attacks and explosions have been recorded at facilities in the region, intensifying fears of generalized destabilization and the disruption of energy flows.
Revolutionary Guards warn of strikes on energy facilities – Evacuation warning
Tensions in the Middle East are reaching a dangerous tipping point as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued an urgent evacuation warning for critical energy facilities in Gulf countries, now labeling them "legitimate targets."
Which facilities are being targeted
According to the announcement, the warning concerns units in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. These include major refineries and petrochemical complexes, such as facilities in Jubail and Mesaieed, as well as natural gas fields. Iranian authorities are calling on "all citizens, residents, and workers" to vacate these areas immediately and without delay. Analysts view this specific warning as a clear sign of imminent attacks on energy infrastructure, which serve as vital hubs for the global oil and gas market. Such a development could cause severe disruptions to production and energy exports from the Persian Gulf, leading to a new shock in international markets.
Iran warns of harsh response after South Pars strike
The governor of the Asaluyeh energy and petrochemical hub stated that the strikes on the South Pars field facilities signal a dramatic shift in the nature of the conflict, arguing that "the pendulum of war has moved" toward a full-scale economic war. At the same time, Iran’s central military command warned that a "fierce response" will follow shortly, heightening concerns of a generalized escalation in the Middle East.
‘Political suicide’ and a new phase of conflict
Eskandar Pasalar condemned the attack, attributing it to the United States and Israel, describing it as "political suicide" and warning that it opens a "new phase of war balances." As he emphasized, targeting the heart of Iran's energy production is not merely a military escalation but a blow with immediate economic and geopolitical consequences.
Collapse of energy security
"Energy security in the region has reached zero," he stated, highlighting the risk to the global energy market, as South Pars is one of the world's largest natural gas deposits. This statement reinforces fears of severe disruptions in gas flows and a further international rise in prices.
Global consequences and energy instability
Gulf countries are among the world's largest energy exporters, meaning any strike on their infrastructure can send oil prices skyrocketing and further strengthen international inflationary pressures. The IRGC warning comes during a period of already heightened uncertainty, amplifying fears of a generalized conflict in the region and deeper impacts on the global economy.
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