The Iranian government issued a stern warning to its Persian Gulf neighbors on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, declaring that energy assets in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates have become “legitimate targets.”
The announcement followed a massive Israeli airstrike on Iran's South Pars gas field, the world's largest natural gas reservoir, which Tehran claims was carried out with U.S. approval and coordination.
In a series of statements released via state-affiliated media, Iran ordered the immediate evacuation of several key petrochemical facilities, including Saudi Arabia’s Samref Refinery, the UAE’s Al Hosn Gas Field, and Qatar’s Mesaieed Petrochemical Complex.
“These centers have become direct and legitimate targets and will be targeted in the coming hours,” the warning stated, advising all employees and residents to move to a safe distance without delay.
The strike on South Pars, which Iran shares with Qatar, marks a significant shift in the 19-day conflict, moving from military confrontation toward full-scale economic warfare.
While fire teams have reportedly brought the initial blazes under control, the facility’s output has been taken offline. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack as a “dangerous and irresponsible step,” noting that targeting shared infrastructure threatens global energy security.
The escalation triggered an immediate reaction in global markets, with Brent crude rallying above $108 a barrel. Since the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran on February 28, oil prices have surged nearly 50%.
The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has already crippled regional exports, forcing several Gulf producers to invoke force majeure on their contracts.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intensified its retaliatory campaign on Wednesday, launching waves of missiles and drones toward the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.
These strikes were reportedly in response to the assassinations of high-ranking Iranian officials, including Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib and security chief Ali Larijani.
_ "Any attack on Iran’s energy infrastructure will not go unanswered," _a military spokesperson stated.
President Donald Trump addressed the escalating crisis on social media, reiterating that the U.S. is_ "rapidly putting [Iran] out of business." _
However, he also expressed frustration with regional allies, calling on them to take more responsibility for reopening the Strait of Hormuz._ _
_"U.S. allies need to get a grip, step up and help open the Strait," _the President posted early Wednesday.
As the conflict broadens, the United Nations has warned of a "grave mistake" in allowing the war to engulf the entire region.
With the death toll in Iran now exceeding 3,000 and critical infrastructure under fire across multiple borders, analysts warn that the Middle East is facing its most severe economic and security shock since the 1991 Gulf War.