Iran attack on Qatar causes ‘extensive damage’ to massive energy hub
QatarEnergy’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, March 2, 2026.
Stringer | Reuters
Qatar said on Wednesday that Iranian missiles caused “major damage” to the Ras Laffan Industrial City, home to the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility.
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack as “a dangerous escalation, a clear violation of state sovereignty and a direct threat to national security and regional stability.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Qatar reserved the right to respond in accordance with the right of self-defense guaranteed under international law. expression.
Brent Oil prices, the international benchmark, rose by more than 7% to $111.23 as of 16:52 GMT.
US West Texas Intermediate crude oil Oil traded at $100.04, up nearly 4%.
After Israel bombed a natural gas processing facility in Iran, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard threatened to attack energy facilities in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Emergency teams were deployed to control the fires in Ras Laffan. social media post from state-owned QatarEnergy. No casualties were reported. Qatar’s Ministry of Internal Affairs later said that the fire at the facility was initially brought under control.
Qatar stopped LNG production on March 2 due to Iran’s drone attacks on Ras Laffan and Mesaieed Industrial City. According to data from energy consultancy firm Kpler, the Gulf country is the world’s second largest LNG exporter after the US and Qatar account for nearly 20% of global LNG exports.
Increasing attacks on the Middle East’s oil and gas infrastructure threaten to exacerbate the massive energy supply disruption triggered by the Iran war.
Oil tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has decreased due to Iran’s attacks on commercial ships. The Bosphorus is the most important trade chokepoint for oil, and before the war about 20% of the world’s supply passed through it.
Brent prices could average $130 in the second and third quarters if there are widespread attacks on energy infrastructure and the Strait remains closed for extended periods of time, Citigroup analysts told clients in a report on Wednesday.
