Facilities linked to Iran’s gas and oil industry in South Pars and Asaluyeh were targeted in an Israeli airstrike on Wednesday, a source confirmed to The Jerusalem Post.
The South Pars gas field is the world’s largest natural gas reserve and is jointly operated by Iran and Qatar.
An Israeli official told the Post that the attack was coordinated with the United States, adding that the target was Iran’s largest gas facility in Bushehr.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-affiliated Tasnim News Agency corroborated that petrochemical facilities in South Pars were targeted, stating that the extent of damage was not yet clear.
Trump and his administration opposed the previous strikes on oil facilities due to the images of fires and the resulting surge in prices. However, in the case of gas, this appears to be less of a concern, the Israeli official explained.
Iran urges Gulf citizens to evacuate
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued evacuation warnings for several oil facilities across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.
Additionally, IRGC Navy chief Alireza Tangsiri threatened retaliation against US facilities in the Gulf, warning civilians and workers to stay away. "Our list of targets is updated. Oil facilities associated with America are now on par with American bases and will come under fire with full force," Tangsiri wrote on X/Twitter.
Iran's warning was also directed at 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 centres have become direct and legitimate targets and will be targeted in the coming hours. Therefore, all citizens, residents, and employees are requested to immediately leave these areas and move to a safe distance without any delay," the warning said.
The international community responds to the attack
Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson, Dr. Majed al-Ansari, issued a statement in response to Israel's targeting of 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 current military escalation in the region."
He stated, "Targeting energy infrastructure constitutes a threat to global energy security, as well as to the peoples of the region and its environment."
Ansari urged all parties to exercise restraint and work towards de-escalation.
Russia's foreign ministry on Wednesday also condemned the strike 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, a spokeswoman for the ministry, made the comments at a news briefing. Russia built the Bushehr plant and helps Iran run it. Iran on Tuesday told the International Atomic Energy Agency that the attack had caused no damage or injuries.
IAEA confirms structure 350 meters from Iran's Bushehr NPP reactor was hit by projectile
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed on Wednesday that a structure 350 meters from Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant reactor was hit and destroyed.
There was no damage to the reactor itself nor injuries to staff, IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said.
James Genn contributed to this report.