Trump ne se précipiterait pas pour frapper à nouveau les installations énergétiques iraniennes

Local time on the 19th, Iran launched the 63rd round of “True Commitment-4” operations. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran issued an emergency statement, announcing a large-scale missile attack on oil and energy facilities related to the US in the region. This operation is a direct retaliatory response to the earlier attack on Iran’s energy infrastructure on the 18th.

The statement pointed out that this retaliatory action aims to target energy facilities with US interests or US shares. It emphasized that Iran was initially reluctant to escalate the war into the energy sector and did not want to affect neighboring countries’ economies, but enemy provocations have led the conflict into a “new phase.”

The statement confirmed that Iran’s armed forces have carried out multiple rounds of strikes, ensuring that the losses inflicted on the enemy are commensurate with the damage to Iran’s infrastructure. It also warned that if the attacks continue, Iran will expand its strikes to all energy infrastructure of US allies Israel, until they are “completely destroyed.”

Fighting spreads to Gulf neighboring countries

The South Pars gas field, located in the Persian Gulf and shared by Iran and Qatar, is the world’s largest natural gas field. Iranian sources reported that on the 18th, parts of the South Pars and Asaluyeh petrochemical facilities in Iran’s Bushehr Province were attacked by the US and Israel.

Israeli officials stated on the 18th that the attack was coordinated with the US. A US official denied US involvement, claiming the operation was carried out by Israel.

Iran’s National Gas Company said that around 14:00 on the same day, facilities related to the South Pars gas field were attacked by hostile forces, causing a fire. The fire has been fully extinguished, and the national energy supply remains normal.

After the attack on energy infrastructure, the spokesperson of Iran’s Hatem Abiy Central Headquarters stated that Iran would retaliate severely. President Ebrahim Raisi said such acts of aggression would complicate the situation and could trigger uncontrollable chain reactions affecting the global community.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued an emergency warning that oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar have become “legitimate targets” and will be attacked in the coming hours, urging local residents to evacuate. The statement also said that clear warnings had been repeatedly issued to these countries, “yet they continue to blindly obey and make decisions imposed from abroad that do not reflect the will of their people. All consequences arising from this will be their full responsibility.”

That evening, Qatar’s Ministry of Defense announced that Qatar was hit by five ballistic missiles. Four were successfully intercepted by Qatar’s air defense systems, while one missile struck Ras Laffan Industrial City, causing a fire. Ras Laffan is the world’s largest liquefied natural gas production facility. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry subsequently declared the Iranian military attaché and related staff at the Iranian embassy as “persona non grata” and demanded their departure within 24 hours.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense reported that the capital Riyadh was targeted by ballistic missile attacks. The air defense system intercepted and destroyed four missiles, with no initial reports of casualties.

Iran reported that it successfully struck the US-exclusive area of the Riyadh oil and gas joint refinery near Riyadh. Explosions occurred within the refinery, causing a large fire. It is said that this attack destroyed the fuel reserves for US military aircraft, which will directly lead to paralysis or severe disruption of the US military’s fuel supply process.

Reports indicate Trump currently does not wish to attack Iran’s energy facilities again

On March 18, local time, according to The Wall Street Journal citing US officials, after Israel attacked Iran’s South Pars gas field, US President Donald Trump stated that he “does not want further attacks on Iran’s energy facilities.”

The report said Trump was informed in advance of Israel’s plan to attack South Pars and expressed support, aiming to send a message to Iran in response to its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

US officials said Trump believes “Iran has understood this message,” and currently opposes further attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure. However, depending on Iran’s future actions in this strategic waterway, Trump may reconsider targeting more Iranian energy facilities.

Due to threats from Israel and Iran to attack oil facilities, international oil prices rose on the 18th. The May delivery London Brent crude futures increased by $3.96, closing at $107.38 per barrel, a rise of 3.83%.

Latest updates on US-Israel military actions against Iran

Multiple explosions occur in the Iranian port city of Enzeli

CCTV reporter learned that on the evening of the 18th, multiple explosions occurred in the Iranian port city of Enzeli on the Caspian Sea coast, with Israeli air force conducting airstrikes on Iranian naval vessels in the area.

IDF claims large-scale airstrikes on over 200 Iranian military targets

On the evening of March 18, Israel’s Defense Forces announced in a statement that within the past 24 hours, Israeli air force attacked over 200 targets in western and central Iran. Targets included storage sites and launch facilities for Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, as well as air defense systems and weapons production bases.

US military drops multiple GBU-72 bunker-buster bombs on Iranian missile sites

The US Central Command stated on social media on the 17th that US forces used multiple 5,000-pound bunker-buster bombs to strike Iranian missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz. It is reported that these bombs are of the GBU-72 model.

Most of Iran’s regions lose full internet connectivity

CCTV reporter learned that starting the afternoon of the 18th, most of Iran, including the capital Tehran, entered a state of complete disconnection from the international internet, with diplomatic missions and communications outside Iran almost entirely cut off. Some internet services within Iran remain operational.

Trump considers further strikes against the current Iranian regime

On March 18, local time, US President Donald Trump posted on social media that the US is considering further strikes against the Iranian regime, stating that countries relying on the Strait of Hormuz for shipping should bear related security responsibilities, not the US. Trump also said this move would prompt some allies to accelerate their actions.

“Littoral” amphibious assault ship heads to the Middle East, concerns over deployment of ground troops to Iran

As US and Israel continue their conflict with Iran, and the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, the US is deploying more Marine Corps units and warships to the Middle East. On the 17th, the amphibious assault ship USS Littoral was seen near Singapore. US officials said the ship is carrying US personnel heading to the Middle East.

Iranian Foreign Minister: Israel frequently assassinates

International community should not apply double standards

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian posted on social media on the evening of the 18th that Israel disregards the consequences of normalizing its “heinous” assassination methods, and the international community should not hold double standards or ignore Israel’s “reckless actions.”

The day before, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a video showing him talking with US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, presenting a card related to assassinations of Iranian officials, claiming that he “erased two names” from it, implying Israel’s assassination of Iran’s top security official and a militia commander.

Amir-Abdollahian wrote that if Iran’s president showed a “kill list” to a foreign ambassador containing US President, Congress leaders, senior generals, etc., and announced they would be eliminated one by one, the UN Security Council would hold an emergency meeting, and media would frenzy over sanctions, threats, and even war— all under the guise of “international law” and maintaining “global order.”

He pointed out that, however, when it comes to Israel, the usual rules seem no longer apply. The so-called “guardians of rule of law and order” remain silent, vague, and even provide weapons and shelter to Israel. This reflects a deliberate moral collapse, where rules only apply to opponents, and exemptions are reserved for allies.

He also said that Israel is dragging its US partners deeper into a moral and political abyss.

On February 28, the US and Israel launched a large-scale military operation against Iran, resulting in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei and several senior military and political officials in the airstrikes. Iran responded with attacks on Israel and US military bases in the Middle East. On the 18th, Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz stated that he and Netanyahu had jointly decided to authorize the Israeli military to strike “any senior Iranian official” without approval, and “all Iranians are targets.”

Differences in the “ultimate goal” between the US and Israel

According to US reports on the 18th, despite close communication between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding the Iran war, there may be differences in the “ultimate goal” and risk tolerance.

US officials believe that the US prefers to end major operations after achieving core military objectives, including weakening Iran’s missile, nuclear, naval capabilities, and proxy networks; while Israel focuses more on regime change through high-level assassinations. A White House official said, “Israel’s focus is different, we are clear,” and that Israel “leans more toward targeting Iranian leadership.”

On energy issues, disagreements also exist. The US emphasizes stabilizing global oil prices, while Israel’s attacks on Iranian oil storage facilities have caused US dissatisfaction. The White House has required Israel to seek prior approval for future actions.

There is ongoing skepticism within the US about the motives of this war. US Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent resigned on the 17th in protest. Commentator Su Xiaohui analyzed that many now realize that US overuse of force has not achieved the desired goals and may entrench the US in a quagmire. Many Republicans are also silent out of caution. The US midterm elections are scheduled for November, with all House seats and one-third of Senate seats up for election. Increasing partisan divisions could impact Trump’s support base if the US government continues military actions, potentially causing splits among his supporters who favor “Making America Great Again.”