Israel Strike on Iranian Gas Field Coordinated with US – Report
Israel’s strike against Iran’s South Pars gas field was coordinated with and approved by the Trump administration, according to Axios, an American news website citing two senior Israeli officials. A US defence official also confirmed this claim.
The South Pars gas field, located offshore in the Persian Gulf and shared between Iran and Qatar, is the largest gas field in the world. Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman, Majed Al Ansari, condemned the targeting of the field—an extension of Qatar’s North Field—calling it a “dangerous and irresponsible step.”
'It's Not Going to Last Forever': Vance Promises Lower Energy Costs Amid Rising Oil Prices
US Vice-President JD Vance addressed the rising oil prices and their impact on fuel costs for Americans during a speech in Michigan. Brent crude prices increased by 4.8%, reaching $108.42 per barrel. The average gasoline price in the US rose to $3.84 per gallon, nearly 30% higher than a month prior.
“We know that people are hurting because of it, and we’re doing everything that we can to ensure that they stay low. This is a temporary war. It’s not going to last forever,” Vance said at a manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan. “We’re going to take care of business. We’re going to come back home. When that happens, you’re going to see energy prices come back down.”
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Missiles and Drone Targeting Riyadh and Gas Facilities
Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry reported that its air defences successfully intercepted four ballistic missiles launched towards Riyadh. Debris from the interceptions fell across various parts of the capital, but no damage or injuries were reported, according to a brief statement on X.
In a separate update, the ministry stated that a drone attempting to approach one of the country’s eastern gas facilities was also intercepted without causing damage.
These incidents follow a series of Iranian retaliatory attacks across the Gulf region in response to Israeli strikes on Iran’s largest gas field, marking the first targeted attacks on Iran’s fossil fuel production since the US and Israel initiated their campaign against Iran.
US Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard Calls Strikes on Iran a Strategic Success
Tulsi Gabbard, the US director of national intelligence, testified before the Senate intelligence committee that US strikes on Iran have been strategically successful. She emphasized that her briefing reflected the intelligence community’s assessment rather than her personal views.
Gabbard noted that Iran’s retaliatory strikes have resulted in the deaths of 13 American service members and injuries to approximately 200 others, costing billions of dollars and disrupting global supply chains for oil, fertilizer, and aluminum. Despite a US request for allies to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the call went unanswered.
According to the annual global threat assessment report, Iran’s conventional military capabilities have been “largely destroyed,” and its strategic position has been “significantly degraded.” However, the regime remains intact. Following violent suppression of internal protests with thousands killed, if the regime survives, it is expected to initiate a prolonged effort to rebuild its military, missile, and UAV forces.
Sweden Reports Execution of Swedish Citizen by Iran
Sweden’s foreign minister, Maria Malmer Stenergard, announced that Iran executed a Swedish citizen convicted of spying, marking the first such execution since the war against Israel and the United States began. She learned of the likely execution late Tuesday and attempted to arrange a meeting with her Iranian counterpart to suspend the execution, but he was unavailable. The identity of the executed citizen was not disclosed.
'Murderers' Must Pay for Killing Iran's Larijani, Says Khamenei
Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued a written message on the day of security chief Ali Larijani’s funeral in Tehran, condemning his assassination in an Israeli strike.
“Without a doubt, the assassination of such a figure attests to his importance and to the hatred that the enemies of Islam harbour toward him,” Mojtaba Khamenei stated on his official Telegram channel.
“Every drop of spilled blood comes at a price, and the criminal murderers of these martyrs will soon have to pay it.”
Mojtaba Khamenei has not yet appeared publicly since assuming office following the death of his father, former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, at the start of the war.
Saudi Arabia Responds to Ballistic Missile Threats Amid Ongoing Gulf Conflict
On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry confirmed that its air defences were actively countering ballistic missile threats over Riyadh. AFP journalists reported hearing loud explosions in the capital, and residents received phone alerts warning of hostile aerial threats.
The Gulf kingdom has faced frequent Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting energy installations and the diplomatic quarter in Riyadh. Iran has threatened further attacks on energy infrastructure across the Gulf in retaliation for Israeli strikes on its largest gas field.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have warned of counterstrikes on energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar “in the coming hours” following reports of missile attacks on the South Pars gas field, the world’s largest gas reserve shared between Iran and Qatar.
Israeli media widely reported that Israel carried out the strikes on South Pars with US consent, marking a significant escalation in US and Israeli military operations. Until now, the oil and gas sector in Iran had largely been spared, helping to contain global oil price increases.
Oil prices climbed toward $110 per barrel on Wednesday afternoon amid concerns over further disruptions to Gulf oil and gas infrastructure, compounded by the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Reports on Strait of Hormuz Shipping and Iran’s Regime Status
Tulsi Gabbard cited reports that China, India, and other countries have managed to move tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, though the volume and extent remain unclear.
“There has been some reporting of China, India and other countries being able to move their tankers through the Strait. However, it is unclear the volume or the measure of that,” Gabbard said during a Senate hearing on global threats.
When questioned about US intelligence suggesting that Iran’s regime will likely remain in place, albeit weakened and more hardline, Gabbard declined to comment on leaked intelligence, stating that the regime remains in power despite significant degradation.
Regarding the killing of the supreme leader, Gabbard noted that Iranians are using his death as a “call to arms.”
Israeli Airport Hit by Debris from Iranian Missile Fire
The Israeli military informed AFP that debris struck Ben Gurion Airport following Iranian missile fire, though the timing of the incident was not specified. Israeli media reported damage to private planes parked at the international airport near Tel Aviv.
The Israeli army lifted a censorship order on the incident on Wednesday but did not authorize disclosure of the date.
UAE Condemns Attack on South Pars Gas Field, Citing Global Energy Security Risks
The United Arab Emirates condemned the attack on Iranian facilities in the South Pars gas field, which Iran attributes to the US and Israel, calling it a “dangerous escalation.”
“The United Arab Emirates affirmed that targeting energy facilities linked to the South Pars gas field in the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is an extension of the North Field in the sisterly State of Qatar, constitutes a dangerous escalation,” the UAE foreign ministry said in a statement.
“Targeting energy infrastructure poses a direct threat to global energy security... It also entails serious environmental repercussions and exposes civilians, maritime security, and vital civilian and industrial facilities to direct risks.”
Intense Ground Clashes Between Israel and Hezbollah in South Lebanon
Israel and Hezbollah are engaged in intense ground clashes in at least three strategic areas in southern Lebanon as Israel continues its ground invasion, according to Lebanese security sources and local residents.
Much of the fighting is concentrated around the strategic hilltop city of Khiam, where the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are conducting air and artillery campaigns against Hezbollah fighters entrenched in the city. Hezbollah acknowledged “heightened clashes” on the eastern and northern outskirts of Khiam.
Simultaneously, Israeli forces attempted to advance into border towns in the central and western sectors of southern Lebanon. Residents of the Aita al-Chaab border village reported intense fighting between Israeli soldiers and Hezbollah fighters.
Lebanese security sources confirmed heavy fighting in several border towns as Israel sought to infiltrate southern Lebanon at multiple points along the border, encountering resistance from Hezbollah members.
Israel has deployed four brigades and columns of tanks along the border in preparation for an expanded ground invasion. The Israeli military stated it had initiated a “limited ground operation” while political leaders discussed broadening the campaign.
The conflict began when Hezbollah attacked Israel on 2 March. Israel responded with a military operation aimed at eliminating Hezbollah. Hezbollah framed the war as a defense of Lebanon against near-daily Israeli airstrikes since the November 2024 ceasefire. The war is unpopular outside Hezbollah’s base.
Experts note that the fighting now centers on strategic locations such as Khiam, which could influence Hezbollah’s ability to resist Israel’s invasion.
US Intelligence Chief Testifies on Iran’s Nuclear Program and Military Status
Tulsi Gabbard testified that Iran has made no efforts to rebuild its uranium enrichment capabilities since they were destroyed in a June 2025 US-Israeli attack known as Operation Midnight Hammer, contradicting former President Donald Trump’s justifications for the ongoing war.
“As a result of Operation Midnight Hammer, Iran’s nuclear enrichment program was obliterated. There has been no efforts since then to try to rebuild their enrichment capability,” Gabbard stated in prepared Senate testimony.
Gabbard: Iran Government Intact Despite Heavy US-Israeli Bombing
Tulsi Gabbard stated that although Iran’s government has suffered significant damage due to US-Israeli military actions, it remains intact.
“The US intelligence community assesses the regime in Iran to be intact but largely degraded due to attacks on its leadership and military capabilities,” she told a Senate hearing.
She added that if Iran’s leadership survives the war, it is likely to embark on a prolonged effort to rebuild its missile and drone programs.
