Iranian media revealed that the US and Israel attacked several Iranian oil production sites, including South Pars, the world's largest natural gas field, and declared that "the red lines have now changed."
On Wednesday, 18 Mar 2026 GMT+7, Iran's Tasnim news agency accused the US and Israel of attacking certain areas of Iran's oil and natural gas production, including South Pars, the world's largest natural gas field, warning that this incident could significantly escalate the conflict.
Tasnim reported that officials are currently assessing the damage. Besides South Pars, the city of Asaluyeh, which houses multiple oil refineries and petrochemical plants, was also attacked.
Meanwhile, Fars news agency, a semi-official outlet linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported hearing "loud explosions" from several refineries in Asaluyeh, noting that several storage tanks and various natural gas production areas at the refineries were targeted.
Fars added that all personnel have been moved to safe locations and rescue teams are urgently working to extinguish the fires.
If these Iranian media reports are confirmed, this would be the first attack on Iran's oil and natural gas production facilities in this war, following Israel's strikes on several Iranian fuel depots the previous week.
An Israeli source told CNN on Wednesday that Israel attacked facilities in Asaluyeh, located in southwestern Iran. Another Israeli official stated that the attack on South Pars was coordinated with the United States.
Earlier on Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that attacks inside Iran are being intensified and warned of a significant escalation of the war. Israeli sources and officials indicated that Katz was referring to attacks on Iran's electricity and natural gas infrastructure.
Fars news agency described the attack as crossing a "red line" that should not be crossed, stating, "From tonight onward, the red lines have changed. If the enemy believes these attacks will pressure Iran to retreat, it is a grave miscalculation, as this act has handed Iran the 'trump card' called 'revenge' in full."
Meanwhile, Tasnim issued an "urgent warning" advising residents in the Persian Gulf region to stay away from oil and natural gas facilities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.
Majed Al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Israel's attack on Iran's South Pars gas field, which extends from Qatar's North Field, is a "dangerous and irresponsible step."
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Source:cnn