Oil prices rose in after-hours trading following fresh attacks on critical energy infrastructure across the Middle East, heightening fears of supply disruptions and further regional escalation. The surge came after a series of coordinated strikes involving Iran and Israel, targeting key fuel and gas assets that are vital to global energy markets.
Iranian strikes caused extensive damage to a major fuel hub in Qatar, raising concerns about the stability of energy exports from the Gulf region. At the same time, Israel launched an attack on a large Iranian gas field that is jointly shared with Qatar, intensifying tensions between the two nations. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned both attacks, describing them as dangerous escalations that threaten regional security and global energy stability.
In response to the growing risk, Gulf oil officials evacuated several refineries, petrochemical plants, and gas fields as a precautionary measure to protect workers and critical infrastructure. The developments have added uncertainty to already volatile oil markets, with traders closely monitoring the situation.
The violence has also led to casualties. In the West Bank, three people were killed after missile shrapnel struck a women’s salon. In Israel, a foreign worker lost his life in Moshav Adanim following missile fire. Meanwhile, authorities in Abu Dhabi successfully intercepted missiles targeting the Habshan gas facilities and the Bab oil field, preventing further damage.
U.S. intelligence officials have expressed concern over the situation. CIA Director John Ratcliffe stated that Iran posed an “immediate threat” to the United States prior to the conflict. However, Joe Kent, former director of the National Counterterrorism Center, disagreed, claiming that Israel played a key role in driving the decision toward war and that U.S. officials treated the conflict as inevitable.
