Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel acted alone in a strike on Iran’s largest gas field, a move that has triggered retaliation across the Gulf and raised fears of a wider energy crisis.
Tehran responded swiftly, launching strikes on Gulf energy sites, including Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial zone — home to the planet’s largest LNG processing facilities.
Markets reacted immediately, with energy prices climbing amid fears of wider disruption.
Donald Trump said he had no prior knowledge of the Israeli operation. However, reports citing Israeli officials suggested coordination may have occurred behind the scenes, highlighting possible fractures in public messaging between the allies.
At a press briefing, Netanyahu pushed back against accusations that Israel had dragged Washington into the conflict or misled the White House. He also revealed Trump had urged restraint, specifically calling for a halt to further strikes on energy infrastructure.
Strategic chokepoint under pressure
The conflict is now spilling into critical supply routes. Iran has moved to restrict traffic through the Strait of Hormuz — a vital corridor carrying roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies.
Qatar warned of serious consequences after the Ras Laffan strike disrupted around 17% of its export capacity.
Qatar’s prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani called the escalation “extremely dangerous,” cautioning it could destabilize global energy markets.
“Such hostile acts, their continuation, and the expansion of war will only lead to a greater escalation in the region”. He added that security of the region is “a collective responsibility”.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Abbas Araghchi signaled a hardline stance, warning Iran would respond without restraint to any further attacks on its infrastructure.
The growing exchange of strikes marks a sharp escalation, raising fears of a broader energy crisis with global repercussions.
