Iran targets Israel’s gas assets if conflict flares

Middle East tensions are rising as Iran issued a stern warning against Israel, threatening to target its energy and gas infrastructure if Israel launches an attack. This development follows Iran’s recent missile strikes on Israeli targets, which came in retaliation for the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The deputy commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Ali Fadavi, stressed that any misstep by Israel would prompt a strong military response, specifically targeting its energy assets.

Iran’s bold statement comes amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, with the Israeli military reporting the death of around 250 Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon this week, including high-ranking commanders. Ground operations have intensified in southern Lebanon, and Israel has urged civilians in the region to evacuate, suggesting wider military action may be underway.

The threat to Israel’s energy and gas facilities is significant because such infrastructure is critical to the country’s economy and energy security. Any strikes on these facilities could disrupt supply chains and have global market implications, particularly as oil and gas markets remain sensitive to geopolitical turmoil.

This conflict also raises concerns for other global players such as India, which has stakes in the stability of West Asia. India has called for dialogue and diplomacy to prevent further escalation, but with the situation rapidly deteriorating, the risk of a wider regional war is growing.

Benchmark crude oil prices surged more than 4 percent on Thursday on fears of an Israeli attack that could target Iran’s oil and gas infrastructure, as Washington sought to put the brakes on a surge in oil prices. Israeli officials said on Wednesday that a strategic strike on Iran’s energy infrastructure would have the biggest economic impact, sending shockwaves through oil markets.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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