A new front of tension opens in the Gulf, with an attack that directly hits the energy heart of Qatar. An Iranian raid caused a fire in the country’s main gas plant, in the coastal area of Ras Laffan.
The fire after the attack
The Ministry of the Interior of Qatar announced the news, explaining that civil protection intervened to put out the flames that broke out in the industrial area. The affected plant represents one of the strategic points for the production and distribution of gas in the Gulf.
Escalation after threats from Tehran
The episode comes amid growing tension in the region. Tehran had in fact announced its intention to strike the energy infrastructures of the Gulf in response to the joint attack by the United States and Israel against its gas plants.
The incident marks a further step in the escalation involving the area, with possible repercussions on international energy balances.
Trump’s diktat
Donald Trump does not want further attacks on Iranian energy sites and facilities. The Wall Street Journal reports this, citing some sources, according to which the president had been informed in advance of Israel’s raid against the South Pars gas field, the largest in the world. Trump saw the attack as a message to Tehran in response to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. According to the commander-in-chief, Iran has gotten the message. This is why now – some American officials report – he opposes further attacks against Iranian energy infrastructures.