Damage to LNG infrastructure raises global concerns
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Facilities hit, losses mount
Qatar condemns attack, flags security threat
Escalation risks widen across Gulf
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Qatar has called for an immediate halt to hostilities after Iranian strikes on its energy infrastructure caused significant damage and raised concerns over global energy supplies. “This war needs to stop immediately, this 'aggression' needs to stop immediately,” Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said, according to Reuters.Speaking at a joint press conference with the Turkish foreign minister, he also rejected Tehran’s assertion that the attacks were aimed at US-linked assets. “Qatar rejects Iranian claims that Wednesday's attacks on gas facilities in Qatar were targeting U.S. linked facilities,” he said.The strikes have hit critical facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City, damaging infrastructure responsible for about 17% of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity, QatarEnergy CEO Saad al-Kaabi said.In an interview with Reuters, al-Kaabi said repairs could take between three and five years, potentially disrupting supplies to key global markets."I never in my wildest dreams would have thought that Qatar would be - Qatar and the region - in such an attack, especially from a brotherly Muslim country in the month of Ramadan, attacking us in this way," he said.The damage could force QatarEnergy to declare force majeure on long-term LNG supply contracts, affecting shipments to major buyers including Italy, Belgium, South Korea and China."I mean, these are long-term contracts that we have to declare force majeure. We already declared, but that was a shorter term. Now it's whatever the period is," he explained.The attacks are estimated to have wiped out 12.8 million tonnes per year of LNG capacity, with losses potentially reaching $20 billion in annual revenue. Two of Qatar’s 14 LNG trains and one gas-to-liquids facility were hit in the strikes, according to Reuters."Emergency response teams were deployed immediately to contain the resulting fires," QatarEnergy said in a statement, adding that all personnel were safe and accounted for. No casualties were reported.Qatar’s interior ministry said civil defence teams brought the fire in Ras Laffan under preliminary control following the attack.The government condemned the strikes as a “direct threat” to national security, with the foreign ministry describing Iran’s actions as an “irresponsible approach” targeting Qatar and neighbouring countries.Located about 80 km north of Doha, Ras Laffan is a key energy hub housing major LNG infrastructure and several international companies, including facilities linked to global partners such as ExxonMobil.The attack followed evacuation warnings issued by Iran for energy installations across the Gulf, including sites in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar. Iranian state media said the facilities could be targeted “in the coming hours.”Following the warnings, LNG installations in Ras Laffan were evacuated, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.Iran signalled the possibility of further escalation. Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had exercised restraint so far but warned future actions could come with “zero restraint,” adding that any resolution must address damage to civilian infrastructure.The situation has drawn sharp reactions from Washington as well. US President Donald Trump warned of “overwhelming force” if Iran continues targeting Qatar’s energy assets, including potential action against Iran’s South Pars gas field.