Trump Responds to Israel's Attack on Iran's South Pars Gas Field

Trump's Reaction to the Attack

In his first statement following Israel's assault on Iran's South Pars natural gas field, US President Donald Trump took to social media to express his views. He asserted that the US had no prior knowledge of the attack and assured that Israel would refrain from further strikes on this vital oil resource. Trump also criticized Iran's response, which targeted a section of Qatar’s LNG facility, warning of severe repercussions if Iran continued its aggression.

Trump stated, "Israel has reacted violently due to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, specifically targeting the South Pars Gas Field. The US was completely unaware of this attack, and Qatar had no involvement or foreknowledge of it. Unfortunately, Iran misinterpreted the situation and unjustly retaliated against Qatar’s LNG facility," he remarked.

He further emphasized, "NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL regarding this crucial South Pars Field unless Iran foolishly decides to strike Qatar again. In that case, the United States will respond with overwhelming force against the South Pars Gas Field, a level of destruction that Iran has never experienced. I am reluctant to authorize such violence due to its long-term implications for Iran, but I will act decisively if Qatar’s LNG facility is attacked again."

Targeting of South Pars Gas Field

South Pars Gas Field Under Fire

Reports from state media indicated that facilities linked to the South Pars gas field, located near Asaluyeh along Iran’s Gulf coast, were ablaze on Wednesday. Iran has vowed to retaliate against energy installations in other Gulf nations. This gas field, the largest globally, is jointly owned by Iran and Qatar, known as South Pars in Iran and the North Field in Qatar. While primarily serving Iran's domestic market, news of the attack led to a spike in global oil prices and a 7% increase in gas prices across Europe due to concerns over potential Iranian retaliation against Gulf energy assets.

Iran's leadership condemned the assault on the South Pars gas field, with President Masoud Pezeshkian warning of "uncontrollable consequences" that could have global ramifications. In retaliation, Iran targeted a significant natural gas facility in Qatar, where a missile strike caused extensive damage to the Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas facility before the fire was brought under control.