Key points

  • Main thread: Israel struck Iran's South Pars gas field. Iran's Revolutionary Guards struck Qatar's Ras Laffan plant in retaliation.
  • 09:56 Saudi Arabia reports a drone hit the Samref refinery at Yanbu port.
  • 09:06 A separate drone strike hit a Kuwaiti refinery and started a fire.
  • 08:44 China calls the killing of Ali Larijani and other Iranian leaders unacceptable and urges an immediate ceasefire.
  • 04:57 Saudi Arabia says it reserves the right to respond militarily to Iran.
  • 04:03 Donald Trump threatened to destroy Iran's South Pars gas field if Iran attacks Qatar's Ras Laffan again.
  • 03:57 Brent crude jumped more than 5 percent on supply fears.
  • 03:46 Qatar reported another Iranian missile strike on Ras Laffan with significant damage but no reported casualties.
  • 01:14 Media say the US is weighing sending thousands of troops to the region.
  • 00:21 The Pentagon reportedly wants to ask Congress for more than $200 billion to fund operations related to the Iran conflict.

The situation in one paragraph

Energy infrastructure in the Gulf has become a front line. Israeli strikes reportedly hit the massive South Pars gas field in Iran. Iran's Revolutionary Guards then launched attacks on Qatar's major Ras Laffan gas complex. The result is a real worry about global gas and oil supplies and a spike in prices. Washington and regional capitals are reacting, and the risk of wider military moves has increased.

09:56 - Drone hits Saudi Samref refinery at Yanbu

The Saudi defense ministry said a drone crashed into the Samref refinery in the Yanbu industrial zone on the Red Sea coast. Damage assessment is under way. The ministry had earlier said it intercepted a ballistic missile headed for the port. Samref is jointly owned by Aramco and Mobil Yanbu Refining Company, a unit linked to ExxonMobil.

09:06 - Drone strike on Kuwaiti refinery

Kuwaiti authorities reported a drone strike on a second refinery in the country, which caused a fire. Local officials are addressing the blaze and investigating the damage.

08:44 - China condemns the killing of Larijani and others

China called the killing of Iranian security chief Ali Larijani and other leaders "unacceptable" and again urged an immediate ceasefire. A foreign ministry spokesman also criticized actions that target leaders and civilian sites. Separately, Beijing pushed back against narratives that treat China as an imminent threat, asking Washington to be cautious in how it speaks and acts on that issue.

04:57 - Saudi Arabia reserves the right to respond

Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan said Saudi Arabia reserves the right to take military action if needed. He added that the kingdom will not bow to pressure and warned that attempts to pressure it would backfire on those who apply them.

04:03 - Trump issues a hard warning

President Donald Trump said the United States would destroy Iran's giant South Pars gas field if Tehran attacks Qatar's Ras Laffan LNG complex again. The warning raises the stakes and signals a willingness by Washington to consider major strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure.

03:57 - Oil jumps on supply fears

Brent crude rose sharply, gaining more than 5 percent to about $112.84 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate added about 2.5 percent, trading near $98.69. Markets reacted to the risk of interrupted Gulf supplies after the strikes and counterstrikes.

03:46 - Qatar reports fresh damage at Ras Laffan

Qatar said ballistic missiles launched from Iran hit the Ras Laffan industrial area, causing significant damage and fires at the LNG plant. QatarEnergy reported new fires and considerable damage. Local authorities said two of three fires were extinguished and that no casualties were reported.

01:14 - US weighs troop deployments

Media reports say the US administration is considering sending thousands of troops to the Middle East. Options under discussion include deploying forces to Kharg Island, positioning troops along Iranian coasts to secure waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz, and moving personnel to secure enriched uranium stockpiles.

00:21 - Pentagon seeks large funds, per report

The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon has asked the White House to seek over $200 billion from Congress to fund operations tied to the Iran conflict. It is unclear whether the White House will move forward with that request, and some officials have said the amount may not be realistic.

Other notes

There was also internal US political fallout after the head of counterterrorism, Kent, resigned. The US intelligence director, Gabbard, publicly disputed the White House narrative about the conflict and later adjusted her statements. Meanwhile, President Trump is scheduled to receive Japan's prime minister Takaichi. In Brussels, Italy's Prime Minister met with Germany's leader for a short bilateral ahead of a European summit focused in part on the Middle East and energy issues.

Why this matters

Damage to major gas and oil installations in the Gulf can quickly affect global energy markets and increase the chance of broader military confrontation. Leaders are signaling readiness to respond, and Washington has threatened significant retaliation. For now, most reports indicate damage and fires but limited confirmed casualties. The situation remains volatile and could change rapidly.