Iran launched attacks targeting countries in the Persian Gulf, including a strike near a major LNG production plant in Qatar, prompting defensive responses.
Iranian Attacks on Gulf States
Residents received phone notifications warning of an aerial threat from an enemy. Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki, a spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Defense, stated that four ballistic missiles targeting Riyadh were intercepted and destroyed.
Debris from the intercepted missiles scattered across various areas of the capital, with initial assessments indicating no casualties or damage.
Explosions in Saudi Capital & Qatar Facility Fire
The Saudi Ministry of Defense previously reported intercepting and destroying two ballistic missiles aimed at the country’s eastern region. A fire broke out near Ras Laffan in Qatar, home to the world’s largest LNG production facility, following the Iranian attack.
QatarEnergy confirmed the attack and stated that no one was injured. Rescue teams were immediately dispatched to control the fires, with significant damage reported, and all personnel accounted for.
Kuwait Deals with Falling Debris
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior reported that explosive ordnance disposal teams handled 17 reports of falling debris in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of reports to 421. Ministry spokesperson, General Nasser Bouslaib, also stated that air raid sirens had been activated 94 times.
Iran Threatens Regional Energy Infrastructure
Iran has threatened attacks on energy infrastructure throughout the Gulf region in retaliation for Israeli strikes on its largest gas field. These represent the first direct attacks on fossil fuel production since the start of the war.
IRGC Threat of Further Strikes
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly threatened retaliatory attacks on several energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar “in the coming hours,” following reports of missiles targeting their gas facilities at the South Pars field.
Confirmation of Iranian Minister’s Death
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed on Wednesday, March 18th, that Israel conducted an attack on Iranian intelligence minister Esmaeil Khatib. Khatib was killed in a nighttime airstrike and was the third high-ranking Iranian official killed in 24 hours.
Focus of Previous Iranian Strikes
Most previous Iranian strikes have targeted eastern Saudi Arabia, near Iran and the location of major Saudi oil installations. The country’s air defense intercepted most incoming missiles, but the attacks killed at least two migrant workers and an American soldier at an air base in Al Kharj.
Regular Target of Iranian Attacks
The Persian Gulf kingdom is regularly targeted by Iranian missile and drone attacks, including some aimed at its vast energy installations and the diplomatic district of the capital.
US Spending Comparison
At the current rate of weapons, ammunition, military equipment consumption, and logistical operations, Trump would spend in three months on the Middle East as much as the US spent over three years supporting Ukraine.
