Israel has dramatically escalated its military campaign against Iran by launching strikes on the country's critical energy infrastructure, including the strategically vital Pars gas field in the Persian Gulf. The attacks resulted in the death of Iran's intelligence minister, marking one of the highest-profile targeted killings since the conflict intensified. The strikes represent a significant shift in Israel's approach, moving beyond military and nuclear targets to directly threaten Iran's economic lifeline.
The Israeli Defence Forces confirmed strikes on the South Pars gas field, which accounts for approximately 40 per cent of Iran's natural gas production and is one of the largest gas fields in the world, shared with Qatar. Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib was killed in the operation, according to multiple government sources in Tehran. The attacks also targeted oil refineries and power generation facilities across several Iranian provinces, causing widespread disruption to domestic energy supplies.
The escalation follows months of tit-for-tat strikes between Israel and Iran that have progressively expanded in scope and severity throughout early 2026. Iran's energy sector is the backbone of its economy, generating the bulk of government revenue and funding its regional proxy network across the Middle East. The targeting of civilian energy infrastructure has drawn comparisons to the early stages of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, where similar tactics were employed to cripple economic capacity and civilian morale.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed a devastating response and explicitly threatened retaliatory strikes against energy infrastructure across the Persian Gulf, raising alarm among neighbouring oil-producing states including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The United States called for restraint from both sides while reaffirming its commitment to Israel's security, with Secretary of State publicly urging diplomatic channels to prevent further escalation. Global oil prices surged past 95 US dollars per barrel in immediate trading following the attacks, with energy analysts warning that sustained conflict could push prices above 120 dollars.
The United Nations Security Council has called an emergency session to address the rapidly deteriorating situation, with several member states pushing for an immediate ceasefire resolution. Gulf Cooperation Council nations have placed their military forces on heightened alert amid fears that the conflict could spill over into the broader region and disrupt global energy supply chains. Insurance premiums for oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 per cent of the world's oil supply passes, have already tripled in the past week.