Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel “acted alone” in striking Iran’s South Pars gas field, part of the world’s largest natural gas reservoir. This declaration comes amid escalating tensions over attacks on energy infrastructure across the Middle East, highlighting fractures in the supposed unity between Israel and its Western allies.

Following the Israeli strike, Iran retaliated by attacking Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial zone—home to the world’s largest liquefied natural gas processing plant—and other energy targets in the Gulf. Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdurrahman Al-Thani warned the assault would have “significant repercussions for global energy supplies” and termed it a “very dangerous escalation,” underscoring the broader economic fallout from the conflict.

The attacks triggered a sharp spike in energy prices, with the UK benchmark gas price briefly peaking at nearly 183p per therm on Thursday before settling at 154.8p, an 11.3% increase from Wednesday. European prices also rose by over 10%, exacerbating existing market volatility. In a move that raises questions about coordination, US President Donald Trump allegedly claimed he had no prior knowledge of the strikes, casting doubt on the coherence of the US-Israeli alliance.

At a news conference, Netanyahu insisted that Trump had requested no further attacks on energy targets but denied that Israel had dragged the US into the war or “misled” the American leader. He further asserted that Israel is inflicting “massive damage” on Iran’s military capabilities, including strikes on its navy in the Caspian Sea, while suggesting that Iranians themselves must act to overthrow their government if they desire change.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi vowed “zero restraint” if Iranian infrastructure is hit again, signaling potential for further escalation. Meanwhile, the US regime is reportedly considering lifting some sanctions on Iranian oil in a scramble to mitigate market disruptions, a move that critics argue highlights the economic costs of its interventionist policies. Verified footage showed fires and smoke at an oil refinery in Haifa, northern Israel, following a reported Iranian missile strike, though Israeli officials downplayed the damage as “localized and not significant.”

Source: www.bbc.com