Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a “final warning” for the immediate evacuation of key energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, following a massive Israeli strike on the South Pars gas field that has pushed the Middle East into a full-scale energy war.
In a dramatic escalation of the conflict that began on February 28, Israeli forces—reportedly with the explicit approval of the Trump administration—struck Iran’s South Pars gas field and the onshore processing hub at Asaluyeh on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The strikes targeted gas treatment plants and refineries in Phases 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the massive field, which Iran shares with Qatar. In response, the IRGC has declared energy infrastructure across the Persian Gulf as “legitimate targets,” specifically ordering the evacuation of workers from Saudi Arabia’s Samref Refinery and Jubail Petrochemical Complex, the UAE’s Al-Hosn gas field, and Qatar’s Ras Laffan and Mesaieed facilities. Qatar has condemned the strike as “dangerous and irresponsible,” warning that targeting joint infrastructure puts global energy security at extreme risk.
The attack on South Pars marks a pivotal shift in the war, moving from military and leadership targets to the economic lifeblood of the region. Earlier the same day, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the killing of Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib in an overnight strike, promising “significant surprises” throughout the day. As fires continue to burn at the South Pars facilities, global energy markets have reacted with panic; Brent crude prices surged by 5%, nearing $110 per barrel, while European gas benchmarks jumped over 7.5%. The Governor of Asaluyeh, Eskandar Pasalar, confirmed that key facilities have been taken offline to prevent the fire from spreading, effectively halting a significant portion of Iran’s domestic energy production.
The Trump administration has defended the coordination of the strike, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating the President had evidence to support the decision, citing Iran’s role as a state sponsor of terrorism. However, the fallout is already being felt beyond Iran’s borders. Saudi Arabia reported intercepting four missiles over Riyadh and drones near its gas facilities on Wednesday, while the UAE intercepted similar projectiles. With the Strait of Hormuz already under an Iranian chokehold, the threat of direct strikes on Gulf Arab energy assets has raised the specter of a total regional blackout and a sustained global supply shock.
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