Trump Asks Israel to Stop Attacking Energy Facilities After Iran Bombards Gulf State Oil Refineries
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, WASHINGTON – The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Wednesday (18/3/2026) that the President of the United States (US) has asked Israel to stop attacking Iranian energy facilities after the largest gas refinery centre in southern Pars, Iran, was bombed in a Zionist airstrike. The WSJ report also stated that Trump initially gave the green light to Israel to launch the attack on Pars.
Trump is now asking Israel not to target Iranian energy facilities any longer. Trump’s request became known after Iran launched retaliatory strikes targeting refineries in Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain.
According to WSJ sources, the reason Trump approved Israel’s attack on the South Pars gas field was as a message to Tehran over actions to close the Strait of Hormuz. Washington, according to those sources, is currently awaiting Iran’s response on whether it will make a strategic decision regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump’s comments coincide with an attack on Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City on Wednesday night, which caused a major fire and severe damage. The attack followed Iran’s promise of retaliation for Israel’s strike on the southern Pars gas field.
Al Jazeera reported that the facility, located in the northeast of the country, is the world’s largest liquid natural gas (LNG) production facility. Qatar itself produces 20 percent of global LNG output.
Qatar’s Ministry of Defence stated that the Gulf state was attacked by Iran, involving five ballistic missiles. Its statement, published on X, said that the country’s armed forces intercepted four missiles, while one missile fell in Ras Laffan Industrial City, causing a fire.
“Civil Defence teams are currently responding and working to extinguish the fire,” the ministry said. After the initial attack, Qatar’s Ministry of Defence reported that its air defences successfully intercepted two ballistic missiles aimed at Ras Laffan.
QatarEnergy confirmed that Ras Laffan Industrial City was targeted by a missile attack overnight. “Emergency response teams were immediately deployed to extinguish the fire, as severe damage has occurred. All personnel have been mobilised, and no casualties have been reported at this time,” the company stated.
It is noteworthy that Qatar is one of the Gulf states providing a military base for the United States. Al Udeid Air Base in the country is the largest US military installation in the Middle East, housing around 10,000 US personnel and serving as the headquarters of the US Central Command (CENTCOM). Al Udeid is the main hub for US air operations and intelligence in the Middle East.