Iran Strikes Saudi Aramco, Kuwait Refinery After Israel’s Attack on South Lebanon
Iran broadened assaults on Gulf energy infrastructure on Thursday. The attacks struck several facilities, including the SAMREF refinery in Yanbu.
Scope of the strikes
The SAMREF facility is a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and ExxonMobil. Iranian forces also hit liquefied natural gas plants in Qatar. Two oil refineries in Kuwait were targeted and set ablaze.
Officials tied the escalations to a prior Israeli strike on Iran’s main South Pars gas field. Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, warned of “uncontrollable consequences” that could “engulf the entire world.”
Impact on markets and shipping
Global fuel prices jumped after the strikes. Brent crude rose to about $114 per barrel, an increase of over 57 percent since February 28.
Saudi Arabia had been rerouting oil westward to avoid the Strait of Hormuz. That alternative route faced fresh pressure after an Iranian drone struck SAMREF in Yanbu.
Regional and international responses
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates condemned the attacks. Saudi Arabia reported intercepting six drones over Riyadh and the Eastern Province before confirming the SAMREF hit.
Saudi foreign ministry officials said the strikes destroyed remaining trust. One senior diplomat said “what little trust there was before has completely been shattered.”
Statements from Washington
Former U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the crisis from Washington. He said Israel would not attack South Pars again.
Trump warned of U.S. retaliation if Iran continued striking Qatar’s energy sites. He said the United States would “massively blow up the entirety” of the field if provoked. He also wrote he did not want to authorise that level of destruction because of long-term implications.
Context and keywords
The offensive included attacks described in reports as Iran strikes Saudi Aramco-linked infrastructure. Kuwait refinery targets were also placed among the damaged sites.
Filmogaz.com will continue to follow developments as governments assess damage and next steps.
