Iranian missiles struck Qatar’s Ras Laffan gas facility on Wednesday, igniting fires and inflicting significant damage on the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal.
QatarEnergy, the state petroleum company, confirmed the attack on the industrial complex, which handles approximately one fifth of global LNG supplies.
“Emergency response teams were deployed immediately to contain the resulting fires, as extensive damage has been caused.
“All personnel have been accounted for and no casualties have been reported at this time,” the company said.
Qatari officials said the assault caused widespread destruction to critical energy infrastructure.
The facility had previously been targeted by Tehran earlier in the conflict, marking this as the second Iranian strike on the site.
Doha responded by expelling Iran’s defence ministry representative and giving the official 24 hours to leave the country.
Qatar’s foreign ministry described the strike as “a dangerous escalation” and declared the official persona non grata.
Iran missile strike hits Qatar Ras Laffan gas facility as oil prices surge and LNG supply threatened
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“Qatar reserves its right to respond in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter and the right to self-defence as guaranteed by international law, stressing that it will not hesitate to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security, and the safety of its citizens and residents,” the ministry said.
Officials said that despite Qatar’s efforts to remain distanced from the conflict, Tehran had continued to draw other nations into the crisis.
The Gulf state accused Iran of pursuing policies that threaten regional stability and international peace.
Global oil markets reacted sharply to the attack on the energy hub, with Brent crude climbing to $111 per barrel.
Iran’s drone strikes in the middle east
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The Ras Laffan complex produces roughly 20 per cent of the world’s LNG supply, meaning any disruption to operations poses a significant risk to global energy security.
Investment bank Citi warned that crude prices could reach $200 per barrel if strikes on energy infrastructure continue across the region.
Analysts said that only a substantial release of strategic reserves or diplomatic pressure from China on Tehran may slow further price increases.
The attack has heightened concerns over a deepening global fuel supply crunch as the conflict continues.
Wednesday’s strike came hours after Tehran issued warnings to evacuate energy facilities across the Gulf region.
The warnings followed US-Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran’s South Pars offshore gas field, the country’s primary source of natural gas.
Iranian state media described Gulf oil and gas installations as “legitimate targets” and indicated strikes would follow within hours.
Staff at multiple sites were urged to leave, including Saudi Arabia’s Samref refinery and Jubail petrochemical complex, the UAE’s Al Hosn gas field, and several Qatari facilities.
The escalation has also affected Iraq, which typically receives around a third of its natural gas from Iran.
Baghdad reported that supplies had been fully severed, disrupting a large share of the country’s electricity generation.