Targeting of energy facilities turned Iran war into worst‑case scenario for Gulf states

By: Kristian Coates Ulrichsen

Outlets: Kansas Reflector

Published: March 21, 2026

Words: 1,395

Last Updated: 2 hours, 5 minutes ago

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The U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran took a dangerous turn March 18, with tit-for-tat strikes on critical energy infrastructure that amount to the most serious regional escalation since the conflict began.

First, an Israeli drone strike targeted facilities at Iran’s Asaluyeh complex, damaging four plants that treat gas from the offshore South Pars field, which straddles the maritime boundary between Iran and Qatar.

Tehran vowed to retaliate by hitting five key energy …

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