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Qatar Says Iran Strike Damage to Key Gas Plant Will Take Years to Repair

What happened

trump-makes-pearl-harbor-joke-during-japan-meeting.html" class="story-link" title="Trump hasn’t ruled out a draft for war with Iran — but is conscription constitut">Iran launched strikes on Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City, home to the world's largest LNG export facility, causing extensive damage that Qatar says will take years to repair. Shell confirmed its Pearl gas-to-liquids plant was damaged in Wednesday's attack. Asian gas prices have surged over 25% following the strikes, with expectations of further sharp increases.

Why people care
Ras Laffan is critical global energy infrastructure, supplying a massive portion of the world's liquefied natural gas. The attack appears linked to escalating Middle East tensions, including Israeli strikes on trump-makes-pearl-harbor-joke-during-japan-meeting.html" class="story-link" title="Trump hasn’t ruled out a draft for war with Iran — but is conscription constitut">Iran's South Pars gas field. Energy markets are now bracing for supply disruptions that could last years.
The takes
Energy markets say

This represents a catastrophic supply shock that will reshape global gas markets for years. With the world's largest LNG facility offline and repairs taking potentially years, consumers worldwide will face sustained higher energy costs. The targeting of energy infrastructure marks a dangerous escalation that threatens global energy security.

Geopolitical analysts say

The strikes are a direct retaliation for Israeli attacks on Iranian energy facilities, showing how regional conflicts now routinely target critical infrastructure. Iran's willingness to strike Qatar, despite their complex regional relationships, demonstrates how energy facilities have become strategic weapons. This tit-for-tat targeting of gas infrastructure could spiral into broader economic warfare.

Sources
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