Iran threatens Gulf energy targets after key Pars gas field hit

Iran’s ⁠huge Pars gas field was hit on Wednesday in the first reported strikes on Iran’s Gulf ⁠energy infrastructure of the US-Israeli war, prompting Tehran to announce it would respond with attacks on oil and gas targets throughout the Gulf.

Oil prices shot up after the attack, a major escalation in a war that has already halted shipping from the world’s most important energy-producing region and could now bring lasting damage to its infrastructure.

Benchmark Brent crude prices rose around 5 per cent to above US$108. Stock markets veered lower.

Pars is the Iranian sector of the world’s largest natural gas deposit, which Iran shares with Qatar across the Gulf.

Iran’s Fars news agency reported that gas tanks and parts of a refinery had been hit, workers had been evacuated ‌to a safe location and emergency crews were trying to put out a fire. State media later said the fire was under control.

The attack was widely reported in Israeli media to have been carried out by Israel with US consent, though neither country acknowledged immediate responsibility. The Israeli military did not respond to requests for comment.