Trump threatens to blow up 'entirety' of major Iran gas field if it attacks Qatar again

March 19, 2026

Following Israel's attack on Iran's South Pars gas field, which caused oil prices to surge to nearly $110 per barrel, Iran retaliated by striking Qatar's Ras Laffan facility—the world's largest liquefied natural gas processing site—causing extensive damage in two separate attacks. President Trump threatened to destroy the entire South Pars field if Iran targets Qatar again, claiming Qatar had no involvement in Israel's initial strike and characterizing Iran's retaliation as unjustified. The escalating attacks are part of broader regional conflict that began after US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, with Tehran responding by targeting Israel and US-allied Gulf states.

Who is affected

Iran (South Pars gas field attacked)
Qatar (Ras Laffan LNG facility attacked; two Iranian diplomats expelled)
Israel (fighting Hezbollah; targeted by Iranian attacks)
US-allied Gulf states (targeted by Iranian attacks)
More than one million people displaced in Lebanon
Personnel at QatarEnergy facilities
Global energy markets and consumers (UK and Europe specifically mentioned regarding gas prices)
UAE and Oman (condemned the attacks)

What action is being taken

Israel is fighting Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon
Iran is launching attacks on Israel and US-allied Gulf states
Fires at Qatar's Ras Laffan energy facility are being brought under control
Qatar has ordered two Iranian diplomats and their staff to leave within 24 hours
Conflict continues across the region

Why it matters

This escalating conflict threatens global energy security and prices, with the South Pars-North Field representing the world's largest natural gas reserves and Qatar's Ras Laffan being the world's biggest LNG processing facility. The attacks have already caused European gas prices to more than double and oil prices to approach $110 per barrel, directly impacting consumers worldwide. The conflict risks drawing non-involved countries into a wider regional war, with Iran's strikes on Qatar potentially expanding the scope beyond the Israel-Iran confrontation. Trump's threat to destroy Iran's major gas infrastructure represents a significant escalation risk that could have "long term implications" for the region and global energy markets.

What's next

Qatar reserves its right to respond to Iranian attacks
Trump has threatened to "massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field" if Iran strikes Qatar again

Read full article from source: BBC