Trump Claims US Was Unaware of Israel’s Strike on Iran’s South Pars Gas Field

Trump Claims US Was Unaware of Israel’s Strike on Iran’s South Pars Gas Field

Donald Trump has stated that the United States “knew nothing” about Israel’s attack on a major gas field in Iran on Wednesday, cautioning Tehran against further retaliation against Qatar. The Iranian missile attacks that followed hit a major energy facility in Qatar, causing “extensive damage” to the Ras Laffan site, which houses the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing facility.

While Israel has not confirmed the attack on Iran’s South Pars gas field, President Trump suggested that Israel launched the strike “out of anger for what has been happening in the Middle East.” He said Israel had “violently lashed out” at Iran. This latest conflict comes after widespread strikes by the US and Israel against Iran on February 28, prompting retaliatory attacks from Tehran on Israel and US-allied nations in the Gulf. Additionally, Israel is engaged in ongoing combat with Hezbollah in Lebanon, where over a million people have been displaced.

In the wake of the attack, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned of “consequences beyond control,” suggesting that the fallout could engulf the entire world.

Images verified by media showed smoke rising from at least two impacts on South Pars. Iran retaliated by striking Qatar’s Ras Laffan energy site both Wednesday and early Thursday. The first missile strike caused significant damage, though QatarEnergy confirmed that no personnel were harmed. Following a second attack, Qatar’s Interior Ministry announced that fires at the facility had been contained without any injuries reported.

In a statement on Thursday, Trump emphasized that the US “knew nothing” of Israel’s earlier strike on South Pars. He warned Iran not to target Qatar again, stating that if Iran did, the US would retaliate by “massively blowing up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field with an intensity and strength that Iran has never seen before.” Trump added that, while he did not wish to authorize such extreme measures due to the long-term implications for Iran, he would not hesitate to act if Qatar’s LNG facilities were attacked again.

Before Trump’s comments, unnamed US officials had told the Wall Street Journal that the president had supported Israel’s strike as a message to Iran about its restrictions on tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest oil shipping lanes. However, Trump had reportedly expressed no desire to see further attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure.

The Qatari government condemned the Israeli strike on South Pars, calling it a “dangerous and irresponsible step.” Both the UAE and Oman also voiced disapproval. Qatar’s foreign ministry described the Iranian missile strikes on its Ras Laffan site as a “brazen” attack and a “direct threat” to its national security and regional stability. It also accused Iran of escalating tensions and dragging other nations into the conflict, warning that Qatar “reserves its right to respond.”

Following the attack, Qatar expelled two Iranian diplomats, ordering them to leave within 24 hours.

Meanwhile, in Abu Dhabi, authorities reported two incidents involving fallen missile debris. The missiles, which had been intercepted, were targeting the Habshan gas facility and the Bab oil field. Though no injuries were reported, operations at the gas facilities were temporarily suspended.

Saudi Arabia also reported thwarting an attempt to strike one of its gas facilities in the eastern region. The foreign ministry said five drones targeting energy infrastructure were destroyed. Additionally, in Riyadh, authorities said four residents were injured by falling shrapnel after a ballistic missile was intercepted.

Story: Efua Nessa
Source :Loco tv