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3. Israel Bombards Iranian Gas Field, Iran Vows Retaliation on Gulf

The Israeli Air Force struck natural gas processing facilities in the South Pars field in Asaluyeh, southwestern Iran, according to multiple senior Israeli officials. This is the first time Israel has struck natural gas facilities in Iran, having previously struck oil depots.

In response, Iran issued evacuation ‌warnings for several oil facilities across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, saying they would ​be targeted by strikes "in the ​coming hours.”

United States Involvement

Two Israeli officials told Axios the strike on Asaluyeh was coordinated with and approved by the Trump administration. If confirmed, it marks a major departure in U.S. policy towards targetting energy infrastructure.

On March 10, the Wall Street Journal and Axios reported that Washington had urged Israel not to hit energy infrastructure, fearing the effect on global markets.

According to President Trump on March 14, when the U.S. “totally demolished” most of Kharg Island, a major terminal through in the Persian Gulf through which Iran exports most of its gas, they were sure not to hit Iranian oil pipelines. 

Extent of Attack

Iranian state media reported that gas storage tanks at South Pars were struck, halting output at two refineries with a combined capacity of approximately 100 million cubic meters per day.

The Governor of Asaluyeh said the area’s facilities have been “taken offline to control and prevent fire from spreading, and the situation is under control, and the firefighting teams of South Pars and the Pars Special Economic Zone are working to extinguish the fire.”

"A crisis management headquarters has been formed, and necessary measures for assistance are underway, with no casualties have been reported so far," the governor added. There are no reports of injuries.

Regional Impacts

Doha condemned attacks on the Iranian facility, which serves the massive gas South Pars gas field, shared between Iran and Qatar in the Persian Gulf.

Iran has issued evacuation ‌warnings for several oil facilities across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.

Escalating Attacks on Energy Infrastructure

A drone strike hit the Fujairah oil complex on the UAE's east coast on Tuesday causing a fire but no injuries, and leading to the temporary suspension of all oil loading operations, according to Bloomerg.

The facility, which sits on the Gulf of Oman and enables the UAE to bypass the Strait of Hormuz for some exports, was already hit on Monday with a source telling AFP that oil loading into storage tanks was suspended.