Iran has partially halted gas production at the South Pars gas field, the world’s largest, after an Israeli airstrike triggered a fire at the site on Saturday, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency. This marks the first time Israel has targeted Iran’s oil and gas sector since the escalation of hostilities began.
The South Pars field, located offshore in Iran’s southern Bushehr province, is a vital asset responsible for a significant portion of Iran’s gas production. Iran is the world’s third-largest natural gas producer after the United States and Russia. The strike damaged one of the four units in Phase 14 of the gas field, forcing a shutdown that cut production by about 12 million cubic meters. The Iranian oil ministry confirmed the fire was extinguished, but production remains partially suspended.
South Pars is a shared resource with neighboring Qatar, where it is known as the North Field. Qatar produces around 77 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually from the field, supplying markets in Europe and Asia. Iran, however, primarily consumes its gas domestically due to sanctions limiting its exports.
The Israeli air offensive, which began on Friday, has targeted Iran’s military commanders, nuclear scientists, and nuclear facilities in an effort to halt Tehran’s alleged nuclear weapons program. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the strikes have set back Iran’s nuclear ambitions by several years and vowed to intensify the campaign despite international calls for restraint.
Meanwhile, Iranian state television reported that an attack on a housing complex killed about 60 people, including 20 children. Israel claimed to have struck over 150 targets across Iran in recent days, escalating fears of a wider conflict in the region. The ongoing violence has already impacted global energy markets, pushing oil prices higher.
