Iran launched a missile strike on Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City, home to the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility, causing extensive damage and triggering a fire, Qatari authorities confirmed. The attack marks a significant escalation in regional tensions and comes amid a broader wave of strikes targeting critical energy infrastructure across the Persian Gulf.

According to officials, five missiles were fired toward the complex late Wednesday, with four intercepted before impact. However, one missile struck the site, followed by a subsequent early Thursday attack that ignited a fire within the facility. Emergency services responded swiftly, and authorities later stated the blaze was under control. The complex had been evacuated in advance, and state-owned QatarEnergy confirmed that all personnel were accounted for.

The Ras Laffan facility is a cornerstone of the global energy market, previously accounting for roughly one-fifth of worldwide LNG supply before operations were halted earlier this month due to earlier security threats. The disruption has already sent shockwaves through international markets, particularly in Asia and Europe, where many countries depend heavily on imported natural gas for electricity generation and industrial use.

Also Read: Passengers Safe After Air India Express Flight’s Hard Landing Damages Nose Gear In Phuket

The strike follows heightened hostilities after Israeli forces targeted Iran’s South Pars gas field, prompting Tehran to warn that energy infrastructure across Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates could become “legitimate targets.” Hours after the Qatar attack, Abu Dhabi temporarily shut down gas operations at its Habshan facility following debris damage from an intercepted strike, while Saudi Arabia reported thwarting a separate drone attack on a gas installation in its eastern region.

Global energy markets reacted sharply to the developments. Brent crude futures surged as much as 8% to $111.90 per barrel, while natural gas prices were also expected to rise significantly. Analysts warned that the attack on Ras Laffan represents one of the most severe threats yet to global LNG supply chains, with experts suggesting it could take months before Qatar is able to resume full exports, even under optimistic scenarios.

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the strike as a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty and a direct threat to regional stability, ordering Iranian diplomatic and military staff to leave the country within 24 hours. With tanker traffic already disrupted in the Strait of Hormuz, the incident has intensified concerns over prolonged supply shortages and further geopolitical fallout in one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.

Also Read: Iran Strikes Saudi Base, Damaging Five US Air Force Refueling Planes