US President Donald Trump has warned this morning that he will not allow another Israeli strike on Iran’s critical energy infrastructure after the unprecedented attack on the South Pars gas field, the world’s largest natural gas reserve. The warning came even as conflicting reports emerged about whether Washington had prior knowledge of the strike, highlighting the growing tensions surrounding the widening war.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump said Israel had “violently lashed out” at the South Pars facility out of anger, though he insisted that only a small section of the site was hit. He emphasised that the United States had no advance knowledge of the specific operation and rejected suggestions that Qatar had played any role. According to Trump, Iran had misread the situation and “unjustifiably and unfairly attacked a portion of Qatar’s LNG gas facility” in retaliation.
Trump went further, declaring that “no more attacks will be made by Israel” on the South Pars field. Yet his warning to Tehran was equally stark. If Iran strikes Qatar again, he said, the United States would act decisively, even without Israeli approval. In one of his strongest statements since the conflict escalated, Trump warned that Washington could “massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars gas field” if Iranian attacks on Gulf infrastructure continue. He acknowledged the long-term consequences such a move would have for Iran but insisted he would not hesitate if Qatari facilities were targeted again.
The remarks came as reports suggested the Trump administration is now attempting to prevent further attacks on Iran’s energy sector. However, officials quoted by the Wall Street Journal indicated that Trump had in fact been informed in advance about the Israeli strike and had supported it as a direct message to Tehran over its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. According to the report, the president now believes Iran has “got the message” and is seeking to halt further escalation against energy targets.
Despite this apparent shift, Washington has not ruled out future strikes if Iran continues to restrict tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage that carries roughly 20 million barrels of oil a day and close to a fifth of the world’s LNG trade. The administration’s current reluctance to target energy facilities reflects earlier disagreements with Israel, particularly over proposed strikes on oil depots in Tehran and pipelines linked to Kharg Island. Trump later said he deliberately avoided targeting such infrastructure because rebuilding it would take years and could trigger a prolonged global energy crisis.
The Israeli strike on South Pars marked a dramatic escalation in the conflict. Shared between Iran and Qatar, the vast field accounts for about 70 per cent of Iran’s total gas production and is the backbone of the country’s domestic energy supply. The attack reportedly targeted storage tanks near Asaluyeh, forcing the shutdown of two refineries that together process around 100 million cubic metres of gas daily.
Iran’s retaliation was swift and unusually broad. Declaring regional oil and gas installations to be “direct and legitimate targets”, Tehran launched missile strikes against several Gulf states. In Qatar, ballistic missiles caused extensive damage and large fires at the Ras Laffan Industrial City, which houses the world’s largest liquefied natural gas processing facilities. In response, Doha ordered Iranian military and security attachés to leave the country, signalling a sharp deterioration in relations.
The escalation also spread to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The UAE said it intercepted missiles aimed at key energy infrastructure but was forced to suspend operations at the Habshan gas facility and the Bab oil field as a precaution. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, reported that two refineries near Riyadh had been hit and declared that “the little trust that remained in Iran has been completely shattered”, while reserving the right to respond militarily.
The targeting of upstream energy facilities represents a dangerous new phase in the conflict. Experts warn that serious damage to LNG infrastructure, in particular could take years to repair, and the economic consequences are already becoming visible. Global oil prices have surged to nearly $110 a barrel, while fuel prices in the United States have risen sharply, with diesel breaching $5 a gallon.