Iran: ‘Zero Restraint’ as Energy War Spreads Across Gulf

Iran leaders are warning the nation will show “zero restraint” after strikes on its largest gas field as attacks have already spread to Gulf energy sites, pushing the conflict into a widening regional fight.

Escalation is already underway as strikes spread beyond Iran, hitting energy infrastructure across the Gulf and raising the risk of broader disruption to global oil and liquefied natural gas markets.

Tensions surged after a reported Israeli strike hit Iran’s South Pars gas field Wednesday, part of the world’s largest natural gas field shared with Qatar and a cornerstone of Iran’s domestic energy supply.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday the country’s previous response used only a “fraction” of its capabilities and warned of “zero restraint” if additional infrastructure is struck.

Retaliation followed quickly as Iranian-linked strikes targeted Gulf energy sites, including Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial hub, marking a shift from military targets to infrastructure that underpins global supply.

The escalation carries immediate global stakes. Qatar is one of the world’s largest exporters of liquefied natural gas, and damage to its facilities has already cut into export capacity.

Oil prices surged above $110 a barrel as markets reacted to the risk of wider disruption, particularly along the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about one-fifth of global oil flows. Shipping activity through the waterway has already been disrupted in recent days, with attacks on commercial vessels and a sharp drop in tanker traffic raising alarm across global markets.

Trump Warns of Strong US Response

Pressure escalated further as U.S. President Donald Trump warned that the United States could respond militarily if Iran continues attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure, including threats tied to Qatar’s liquefied natural gas facilities.

Trump said the U.S. “knew nothing” about the strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field and emphasized that Qatar was “in no way, shape or form” involved.

He also warned that the United States could move to destroy Iranian gas infrastructure if Iran targets Gulf energy sites again, raising the stakes for potential direct U.S. involvement.

A White House spokesperson referred Military.com to the president’s public statement.

Clarity from the Defense Department and regional command was limited as tensions escalated across Gulf energy infrastructure.

A Pentagon duty officer referred questions to U.S. Central Command and declined to provide additional comment to Military.com.

A U.S. Navy spokesperson also directed inquiries back to Central Command, underscoring the centralized handling of operational messaging as questions grow over maritime security and shipping risks in the Strait of Hormuz.

The lack of detail comes as strikes tied to Iran have already expanded beyond its borders, raising questions about U.S. visibility into the attacks and potential response options.

Military.com reached out to the White House, Defense Department, State Department and Central Command for comment.

Markets React as Energy, Shipping Risks Rise

Markets are reacting sharply as analysts assess fallout from escalating strikes on Gulf energy infrastructure and growing threats to key shipping lanes.

The Energy Information Administration responded to a request for comment and is coordinating follow-up as officials monitor potential impacts to global supply.

Lloyd’s List Intelligence confirmed receipt of a request for shipping data and said a response is pending as analysts track vessel movements and potential rerouting.

Sustained attacks on infrastructure or shipping routes could disrupt liquefied natural gas exports and global energy flows through one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints. U.S. forces have already begun repositioning assets toward the region as tensions build around securing shipping lanes and protecting energy routes.

Fighting has moved beyond isolated strikes inside Iran into a broader regional confrontation, with attacks now reaching multiple Gulf states.

Strikes tied to Iran have hit or threatened energy infrastructure in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, raising the possibility of a sustained campaign targeting assets that underpin global oil and liquefied natural gas supply.

The expansion marks a significant shift from earlier phases of the conflict, which were largely confined to military and intelligence targets, into a direct confrontation centered on energy infrastructure.