On June 14, 2025, an Israeli drone strike targeted Phase 14 of Iran’s South Pars gas field in Bushehr province, igniting a fire and causing a massive explosion, as reported by Iranian media outlets like Tasnim and Fars. This marked Israel’s first direct attack on Iran’s oil and gas infrastructure, halting 12 million cubic meters of daily gas production from one of Phase 14’s offshore platforms. South Pars, shared with Qatar (where it’s called North Field), is the world’s largest natural gas reserve, supplying about 66% of Iran’s domestic gas needs. The Iranian oil ministry confirmed the fire was extinguished, but the strike disrupted operations at a critical energy hub, exacerbating Iran’s existing energy crisis, with gas shortages already causing blackouts costing $250 million daily.
The attack was part of Israel’s broader “Operation Rising Lion,” which began June 13, targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites, killing over 78 people, including senior military figures. Iran retaliated with “Operation True Promise III,” launching over 150 missiles and drones at Israel, coordinated with Houthi missile strikes from Yemen. The South Pars strike escalated the conflict into economic warfare, signaling Israel’s willingness to hit Iran’s energy sector, a move analysts compare to the 2019 Saudi Abqaiq attack that shook global markets. Oil prices surged 14% on June 13, settling at around $73 per barrel, with fears of further disruptions in the Persian Gulf, where 21% of global LNG and 14 million barrels of daily crude oil pass.
Russia, balancing ties with Iran and Israel, likely remained neutral, issuing vague calls for restraint to preserve its mediator role, as seen in prior escalations. Moscow’s military and economic links with Iran, including arms sales, contrast with its security coordination with Israel in Syria, making direct involvement risky. The EU, focused on trade talks with the US, expressed concern over regional instability due to its impact on energy markets, aligning with von der Leyen’s efforts to stabilize global trade. The Beirut rooftop party video, showing civilians dancing amid missile flyovers, underscores the region’s proximity to the conflict, amplifying risks for global actors like Russia and the EU.