Retaliatory strikes by Iran on Qatar LNG hub freaks out Trump

Iranian retaliatory attacks on its Ras Laffan energy complex in Qatar on Wednesday and the early hours of Thursday have spiked gas prices globally. It has also caused Trump to put out an unhinged statement.

Statement from President Trump on South Pars Gas Field: pic.twitter.com/YrjhDdGTxP

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 19, 2026

Iran also struck Saudi energy facilities in retaliation for Israel’s bombing of Iran’s South Pars gas field.

Iran said it is planning to attack the energy infrastructure of the US and Israeli allies in the Gulf until its “complete destruction” if its own energy facilities are targeted further.

Trump claims the US “knew nothing about this particular attack” — the attack on Iran’s South Pars Gas Field on Wednesday — blaming it squarely on Israel.

The South Pars field is located in the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Qatar, and the field is shared between the two countries.

Trump then stated that there will be “NO MORE ATTACKS” by Israel on the South Pars Field unless Iran “unwisely decides” to attack Qatar again. If Qatar’s LNG facilities are attacked again, Trump says the US, “with or without the help or consent of Israel, will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field” with a level of force Iran has “never seen or witnessed before.”

Trump’s threat is characteristic of his hyperbolic and escalatory language. We shouldn’t forget that Trump FULLY destroyed the Iranian navy several times so far.

His core claim that the US “knew nothing about” the initial attack on Iran’s South Pars Field is probably another lie from the habitual liar. But who knows!

Qatar LNG — a weak spot?

Despite the use of hyperbolic and escalatory language, some think this is a de-escalatory effort by Trump. “Trump calls for de-escalation as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively shut and oil rises beyond $116 a barrel,” Bloomberg said.

Trump calls for de-escalation as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively shut and oil rises beyond $116 a barrel.

Get the latest news and analysis in our live blog: https://t.co/hVN6mGh31g

— Bloomberg (@business) March 19, 2026

Al Mayadeen reported that Trump and ‘Netanyahu’ hoped the attack on Iran’s gas fields would deter Iranian action in the Strait of Hormuz, but the plan backfired, prompting Trump to disavow it.

Netanyahu and Trump hoped that the attack on #Iran‘s gas fields would deter action in the Strait of #Hormuz. Evidently, the plan backfired, prompting the #US president to disavow the attack. https://t.co/Cjxi9V6qUA

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) March 19, 2026

Writer Philip Pilkington commented that Donald Trump has been drawn into a “suicidal energy war,” arguing that the president’s statement demonstrates the administration has “ZERO control over the situation.”

Trump has been sucked into a suicidal energy war. If you wanted evidence the administration has ZERO control over the situation, here it is. 🇺🇸🇮🇷 pic.twitter.com/NLcwjoX3kA

— Philip Pilkington (@philippilk) March 19, 2026

The undeniable truth

Since it is hard to take what Trump says about the war seriously, the real-world consequences are the best judges. Anglo-American-Zionist illegal war on Iran has escalated this week.

Israel claimed to have killed intelligence minister Ismail Khatib in Tehran Tuesday night, plus security chief Ali Larijani and Basij paramilitary leader Gholamreza Soleimani.

After more than three weeks of war in Iran, thousands of people have been killed, millions more displaced, and billions of dollars have been spent. Arms dealers are lining their pockets.