Efforts are ongoing in Qatar to extinguish a large fire that broke out following a missile strike by Iran on an energy facility in the Ras Laffan area. This was reported by the country’s Ministry of Interior. According to the ministry, the fire has now been brought under control, and there have been no reports of casualties; however, details regarding the specific facility have not been disclosed.
This is reported by Finway
Response from Qatari Authorities and Extent of Damage
The industrial town of Ras Laffan, home to the state energy company QatarEnergy, is known as one of the world’s leading centers for liquefied natural gas production. In an official statement, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the country “strongly condemns” the Iranian attack that led to the fire and significant damage to the facilities in the industrial town.
“Qatar considers this attack a dangerous escalation, a blatant violation of its sovereignty, and a direct threat to its national security and the stability of the region,” the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted.
The foreign ministry’s statement emphasized that Qatar maintains neutrality in the conflict between Israel and the United States on one side and Iran on the other.
Threat to Regional Energy and Further Actions
According to anonymous sources, Tehran has warned of the need to evacuate several oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, including a refinery in Ras Laffan. It is reported that these facilities may be targeted in the coming hours.
QatarEnergy confirmed significant material damage as a result of the missile strikes, emphasizing that the company is the second-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas in the world.
Previously, Qatar criticized Israel’s missile strike on the special economic zone in Iran’s Bushehr, where Iran’s gas industry is concentrated. The local South Pars field, part of which is also located in Qatar, is considered the largest in the world. Israel’s actions have also been condemned in the United Arab Emirates.
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari emphasized that attacks on facilities related to South Pars are a “dangerous and irresponsible step” that poses a threat to global energy security, regional stability, and the environment.
Iran has repeatedly stated its intentions to attack energy facilities throughout the Persian Gulf region in response to Israeli strikes on its gas fields.
Since the beginning of March, there has been an exchange of strikes between Israel, the United States, and Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump emphasizes that the goal of military actions is to destroy Iran’s potential for developing nuclear weapons. In response, Iran strikes at Israel and countries cooperating with the U.S., while the U.S. has urged Israel to refrain from attacking Iran’s energy infrastructure.