Trump: Israel Will No Longer Attack Iran's Natural Gas Fields After "Fierce Attack"

U.S. President Trump said that an angry Israel “struck violently” and attacked Iran’s main natural gas field. This marks a significant escalation in the U.S.-Israel war, but he stated that Israel will not carry out such attacks again unless Iran retaliates.

The attack on the South Pars large natural gas field on Wednesday caused oil prices to rise and prompted Iran to threaten attacks on oil and gas targets across the Gulf region, including missile launches at Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

This escalation has intensified unprecedented disruptions to global energy supplies and increased Trump’s political risks, as he and Israel attacked Iran together nearly three weeks ago.

After Iran’s missile attack on the Ras Laffan industrial city, which handles about one-fifth of the world’s natural gas supply, QatarEnergy reported “widespread destruction.”

Iran Attacks Qatar’s Major Oil Field and the Saudi Capital

Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed four ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh on Wednesday, as well as a failed drone attack on its eastern natural gas facilities.

On Thursday, Iran again attacked Qatar’s gas facilities, with missiles also targeting the Saudi capital.

QatarEnergy reported that earlier Thursday, several of its liquefied natural gas facilities were hit by missile attacks, resulting in “large fires” and extensive damage.

Trump said the U.S. was not aware of Israel’s attack in advance, nor was Qatar involved. However, reports indicate that Trump approved Israel’s plan to attack Iran’s natural gas fields.

“On Wednesday, Trump posted on X: ‘Out of anger over recent events in the Middle East, Israel launched a fierce attack on a key facility at the South Pars natural gas field in Iran.’”

“Unfortunately, Iran was unaware of this and did not know any facts related to the attack on South Pars, and unjustly and unreasonably attacked parts of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas facilities.”

“Unless Iran foolishly decides to attack an entirely innocent country, Qatar, Israel will not launch any further attacks on this extremely important and valuable South Pars gas field.”

“In this situation, whether or not Israel helps or agrees, the United States will unleash a force and power Iran has never seen or witnessed before, destroying the entire South Pars gas field on a large scale.”

Trump Considers Sending More Troops to the Middle East

South Pars is part of Iran’s largest natural gas reserves, shared with Qatar, which is a close U.S. ally and home to the U.S.'s largest military base in the Gulf.

Since the conflict began, Tehran has targeted not only Israel but also U.S. diplomatic and military facilities across the Gulf, warning neighboring countries not to attack Iran.

A U.S. official and three others familiar with the plan revealed that, due to no signs of de-escalation, Trump is considering deploying thousands of additional U.S. troops to the Middle East.

These forces could be used to restore the safety of oil tankers passing through the narrow Strait of Hormuz, which handles one-fifth of the world’s oil trade.

Trump requested allies’ help to reopen the strait this week, but so far, his request has been rejected. Iran’s closure of the strait has caused energy prices to soar and heightened concerns over global inflation.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations Office said on Thursday that a mysterious projectile struck a ship four miles east of Qatar’s Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas facility. All crew members are reported safe.

Foreign ministers from 12 Muslim-majority countries held a meeting in Riyadh, condemning Iran’s attacks on Gulf neighbors and calling for an immediate halt.

In a statement, the ministers said targeting civilian areas and civilian infrastructure such as oil facilities, airports, and desalination plants by Iran is unreasonable under any circumstances.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said at a press conference after the diplomatic meeting: “The pressure exerted by Iran will have political and moral repercussions, and we certainly reserve the right to take military action if necessary.”

Just as the ministers gathered for talks on Iran’s war, interceptors were reportedly launched from near the Riyadh hotel where the meeting was held.

Saudi Ports Attacked, UAE Closes Natural Gas Facilities

Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea port of Yanbu, currently the only export port for Gulf Arab crude oil, was hit by an airstrike on Thursday, according to an industry source, but the impact was minimal. It is unclear what the target was or who the attackers are. Aramco did not immediately respond to requests for comment via email.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued evacuation warnings Thursday for some oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, including Aramco and ExxonMobil’s joint venture SAMREF, citing “terrorist attacks” by Iran.

The UAE shut down its Habbshan natural gas facility after intercepting missiles, calling it an “Iranian terrorist attack.”

EU leaders will seek ways to curb the surge in energy prices caused by the Iran war at Thursday’s meeting, but options are limited. Since the outbreak of the Iran conflict on February 28, European natural gas prices have risen over 60%.

According to HRANA, a U.S.-based Iranian human rights organization, more than 3,000 people have died in Iran since the U.S.-Israel attacks began.

Lebanese authorities report 900 deaths and 800,000 displaced. Iran’s attacks have caused casualties in Iraq and Gulf countries, with at least 13 U.S. military personnel killed in the war.