Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure on March 19, 2026. The strikes targeted the United Arab Emirates and Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial city. State-run QatarEnergy reported sizable fires at Ras Laffan, the world’s largest liquefied natural gas hub.
The attacks were a retaliatory response to an earlier strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field. The targeted region is responsible for one-fifth of the global oil supply.
Brent crude prices surged more than 5% following the escalation. The international benchmark spiked past $112 a barrel as traders priced in the risk of wider supply disruptions.