Overview
- Qatar’s energy minister said missile damage at Ras Laffan cut LNG capacity by about 17% and could take three to five years to repair, with potential force‑majeure on long‑term contracts to China, South Korea, Italy and Belgium.
- Israel carried out new strikes inside Iran, even as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would refrain from further hits on major gas fields at President Trump’s request; Tehran warned it would show “zero restraint” if its energy sites are hit again.
- Kuwait’s Mina Al‑Ahmadi refinery was struck by Iranian drones, fires were reported after shrapnel fell in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia intercepted multiple drones, and explosions were heard over Dubai as air defenses engaged incoming fire.
- The US recently used 5,000‑pound deep‑penetrator bombs on hardened Iranian missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping remains constrained after Iran’s partial shutdown.
- EU leaders urged a pause in strikes on energy and water infrastructure and moved to bolster naval missions, as oil and gas prices stayed elevated after spiking earlier in the week toward $119 Brent.