Iran launched attacks on energy facilities in four Gulf countries in response to an Israeli strike on its South Pars gas field, one of the world’s largest. On the 20th day of the conflict, key oil and gas installations in Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia were targeted, according to Al Jazeera.

Qatar reported that its main gas production hub at Ras Laffan Industrial City was hit by Iranian missiles early Thursday, causing significant damage. In Kuwait, drone attacks ignited fires at the Mina al-Ahmadi and Mina Abdullah refineries, though no casualties were reported. In the UAE, debris from intercepted missiles caused explosions at the Habshan gas facility and Bab oil field, also without casualties. In Saudi Arabia, a drone crashed into the Samref refinery near Yanbu port, with damage assessments ongoing.

The series of attacks has heightened concerns over Middle East energy security and further escalated regional tensions.

On the 20th day of the US-Israeli offensive in Iran, US Vice President JD Vance acknowledged that the country is facing rising fuel prices linked to the conflict. Speaking at a manufacturing plant in Michigan on Wednesday, Vance said Americans are struggling with higher gas costs and noted that measures are being prepared for announcement within 24 to 48 hours, though he declined to provide details before President Donald Trump’s statement.

The conflict, which began on February 28 with joint US-Israeli strikes, has severely disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route previously handling about one-fifth of the world’s oil and LNG exports. Iran has warned that vessels from the US, Israel, and their allies will be attacked if they attempt passage. At least 16 ships and tankers have been hit since the war began, though some from India, Turkey, and Pakistan reportedly crossed with Iranian permission.

Global crude prices have surged past $108 per barrel, intensifying domestic and international pressure on Washington. Despite repeated calls from Trump, NATO and Asian allies have largely refused to send warships to secure the strait, leaving the US increasingly isolated in the conflict.

Israel is reportedly planning to seize villages along the southern Lebanese border as part of efforts to strengthen security on its northern frontier. According to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency, citing Israeli media, Channel 12 reported that Israel aims to take control of frontline villages to prevent rocket and anti-tank attacks. The military may be instructed to occupy any area from which attacks are launched toward Israeli territory, with such control potentially continuing until further notice.

The report did not specify which villages might be targeted. An unnamed Israeli security source described the move as a strategic measure that could serve as a bargaining tool in the future. The source also claimed that Lebanon’s government has no effective alternative other than disarming or dismantling Hezbollah.

Despite a ceasefire in place since November 2024, border tensions have escalated again, with intensified Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon. Lebanese authorities reported that since March 2, at least 968 people have been killed and 2,432 injured in the attacks.

A drone crashed at the Samref oil refinery operated by Saudi Aramco in the port city of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. The country’s defense ministry confirmed the incident on Wednesday, stating that the extent of damage is currently being assessed. The crash occurred as tensions in the Middle East intensified following a series of retaliatory attacks.

The incident came after Iran launched strikes on several oil refineries across the region in response to an Israeli attack on what is described as the world’s largest natural gas field located in Iran. The crash at the Saudi facility adds to the growing instability in the Gulf, where U.S. installations have also been targeted in recent days.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the cause of the drone crash or whether it was linked to the ongoing regional hostilities.

Iran has expressed anger at the United Nations for remaining silent over the killings of several top Iranian leaders during ongoing US-Israeli attacks. The conflict has entered its twentieth day, with Iran continuing counterstrikes on American installations in the Gulf region. Tehran’s envoy to the UN Security Council has formally lodged a letter criticizing the Council’s inaction.

According to the letter cited by Mehr News, Iranian representative Amir Sayyed Iravani accused the Security Council’s inaction of emboldening Israel to intensify its targeted killings. He warned that if the situation remains unchecked, such assassinations could become commonplace and spread to other countries.

The report also mentioned that the United States may ease restrictions on Iranian oil and that Iran is considering collecting tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, reflecting the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding the conflict.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has voiced deep concern over a potential nuclear disaster as tensions escalate among Iran, the United States, and Israel in the Middle East. WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Regional Director, Hanan Balkhy, told Politico that the organization is preparing for possible radiation risks and warned that any such incident would have catastrophic consequences. She said that while preparations are underway, the damage could not be fully prevented and its effects might last for decades.

The report notes that the United States possesses the world’s largest nuclear arsenal, while Israel, though not officially acknowledging it, is regarded as the only nuclear-armed state in the region. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran has not yet enriched uranium to weapons-grade levels, though its nuclear program remains a source of long-standing concern. In June last year, the United States carried out strikes on Iran’s Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow nuclear facilities, which President Donald Trump claimed were “completely destroyed.”

Balkhy cited the 1945 atomic bombings in Japan and the 1986 Chernobyl disaster as examples of long-term health and environmental impacts. WHO is currently advising governments on preparedness measures, though details of its guidance have not been disclosed.

Afghanistan is celebrating Eid al-Fitr on Thursday, March 19, 2026, following the sighting of the Shawwal moon. The Taliban administration announced the decision late Wednesday night, according to Khaama Press. The country’s Supreme Court confirmed that the moon was sighted in Helmand, Farah, and Ghor provinces, and the government’s moon-sighting committee approved the testimonies. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid declared Thursday as the first day of Eid and extended greetings to the nation.

The announcement has created a difference in Eid dates compared to many other Muslim-majority countries. Saudi Arabia said Eid would be observed on Friday as the moon was not sighted on Wednesday, a decision also followed by the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait. Turkey, Australia, Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, and Iraq have also set Friday for Eid based on astronomical calculations.

The variation in Eid dates arises from differing moon-sighting methods. Some countries rely on physical sightings, while others use astronomical calculations. Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Afghanistan has increasingly emphasized its own moon-sighting process rather than aligning with Saudi Arabia.

Qatar has declared the military and security-affiliated officials and staff of Iran’s embassy in Doha as persona non grata. The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that those affected must leave Qatar within 24 hours. The decision follows repeated attacks by Iran on Qatari territory, according to the ministry’s statement issued on Wednesday evening.

The ministry said a formal memorandum was handed to the Iranian embassy, confirming that Qatar considers the Iranian military and security-linked personnel and their staff as unwelcome. The announcement came during a meeting between Ibrahim Yousuf Fakhro, Director of the Protocol Department at Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Iranian Ambassador Ali Saleh Abadi.

Qatar’s foreign ministry emphasized that if Iran’s hostile behavior continues, Doha will take additional measures to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and national interests.

French President Emmanuel Macron held phone conversations with U.S. President Donald Trump and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani following an Iranian missile attack on Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial city. The area is a key center for the country’s natural gas production.

In a post on social media platform X, Macron said that attacks targeting civilian infrastructure, particularly energy and water supply systems, must stop immediately. He emphasized the importance of protecting civilians, ensuring their basic needs, and maintaining the stability of global energy supplies by avoiding further military escalation.

The discussions and Macron’s statement highlight growing international concern over the security of critical energy facilities and the potential impact of regional tensions on global energy stability.

Mohammad Elmasry of the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies stated that Israel’s attack on Iran’s South Pars gas field has intensified debate over who controls U.S. foreign policy. Former U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that he was unaware of the strike. Elmasry, however, suggested it is unlikely Trump was uninformed, arguing that Israel would not have acted without his approval.

Elmasry further claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may have influenced Trump to authorize the move, pointing to growing unease in Washington. He asserted that Israel controls many aspects of U.S. foreign policy and noted that even Trump’s supporters are beginning to question the relationship. According to him, Israel’s goal is to create instability, bring down the Iranian state, and spread chaos across the Gulf and the wider Middle East.

Elmasry warned that the consequences of such actions could be disastrous for Gulf countries, Europe, and the United States.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud has described Iran’s recent attack on Saudi energy installations as a clear attempt at blackmail. The incident occurred just before a conference of regional and Islamic foreign ministers in Riyadh, which he said showed deliberate timing. Saudi authorities reported intercepting and destroying four ballistic missiles aimed at the capital.

Faisal stated that the attack was intended to intimidate delegates attending the conference and to signal that Iran would not retreat from its actions. He emphasized that Saudi Arabia was not frightened but argued that Iran’s conduct demonstrated it could not be a trustworthy partner. According to him, the incident completely eroded whatever limited trust remained toward Iran.

The remarks, reported by Al Jazeera, underscore rising tensions between the two countries and highlight the fragile state of regional diplomacy amid ongoing security threats.

Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific has announced the suspension of all flights to Dubai until April 30, 2026, citing the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East. The decision was disclosed in a statement released on Wednesday, which attributed the move to the ongoing regional conflict.

According to AFP, the airline indicated that further adjustments to its flight schedule may occur depending on future developments. Earlier in March, Cathay Pacific had already canceled flights to both Dubai and Riyadh, and the suspension has now been extended through the end of April. The airline has also doubled fuel surcharges on most routes this month due to rising fuel prices triggered by the war, a trend mirrored by Hong Kong Airlines, which raised its surcharge twice within a week.

Cathay Pacific noted that demand for Europe-bound travel has increased, prompting the addition of extra flights in March. The airline said long-haul passenger demand has generally risen as travelers seek alternatives to Middle East routes.

China has strongly condemned the killing of Iran’s national security chief Ali Larijani, describing the act as unacceptable. The statement came from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian during a press briefing, where he reiterated Beijing’s opposition to the use of force in international relations. Lin emphasized that the killing of Iranian leaders and attacks on civilian targets were particularly intolerable.

Following the incident, Iran’s army chief Amir Hatami warned that the country would deliver a decisive response to the assassination. The killing has drawn attention because Larijani was regarded as Iran’s most senior leader after the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The development adds to regional tensions, with China’s remarks signaling its stance against targeted killings and its continued support for diplomatic approaches in international conflicts.

Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi described the Iran war as former U.S. President Donald Trump’s “greatest miscalculation.” Writing in an opinion piece for The Economist, Albusaidi said he had mediated between Washington and Tehran before the conflict began. He urged U.S. allies to intervene to end what he called an “illegal war.”

Albusaidi noted that Gulf states, including Oman, had long relied on U.S. weapons and bases to deter potential Iranian attacks, enjoying relative peace and prosperity that are now under threat. He argued that the United States has lost control of its foreign policy and that its allies must speak the truth to help end the conflict. According to him, neither Iran nor the United States benefits from the ongoing war, which should end as soon as possible.

He further suggested that Israel may have “provoked” the United States into believing the war would be easily won, but achieving Israel’s goals would require U.S. troop deployment and a prolonged conflict that Trump had once vowed to avoid.

China and Russia are reportedly providing Iran with advanced intelligence and technological assistance amid ongoing hostilities with the United States and Israel in the Gulf region. According to senior US officials cited by the Washington Post, Russia has supplied Iran with sensitive intelligence, including the locations of American warships and aircraft. Moscow has denied these claims, but reports suggest that Russia’s satellite and radar support has enhanced Iran’s ability to identify and strike targets with precision. China, meanwhile, has supplied advanced radar systems, satellite mapping, and encrypted intelligence links to strengthen Iran’s electronic warfare capabilities.

The report describes how this cooperation has transformed the Gulf into a battlefield dominated by electronic and information warfare rather than conventional weapons. Iran’s improved surveillance and targeting systems have enabled it to carry out drone strikes on US facilities, while American and Israeli forces have responded by targeting Iranian radar infrastructure. Analysts note that the balance of power in the region is shifting as China and Russia challenge long-standing US-Israeli technological dominance.

The conflict marks a new phase in modern warfare, where control over data and signals may prove more decisive than traditional firepower.