Israel energy strikes set off Iran-Qatar confrontation

19 hours ago

Iran andQatar moved into open confrontation on Wednesday after an Israeli strikeon Iran’s energy infrastructureset off a chain of retaliation across the Persian Gulf, pulling new actors into the conflict.

Qatardeclared the Iranian embassy’s military and security attaché persona non gratahours after Iranian forces struck near the Ras Laffan industrial area, home to the world’s largest liquefied natural gas facility.

Qatari authorities reported a fire at the site, with emergency teams working to contain it.

Doha said the decision was driven by what it described as Iran’s repeated attacks on the country, the latest targeting Ras Laffan industrial city.

The escalation followed Israeli strikes on facilities linked to Iran’s South Pars gas field and the onshore hub at Asaluyeh in Bushehr Province—a critical node in Iran’s energy system.

The strikes marked a departure from previous targeting patterns, hitting the economic coreof Iran’s power rather than its military or nuclear assets.

Iranian officials warned that attacks on the country’s fuel and gas infrastructure would be met with retaliation across the region.

=Tehran said energy facilities in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates could be targeted.

Saudi officials said air defenses intercepted incoming threats aimed at energy infrastructure, according to regional media reports, though details were limited.

Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, said he “strongly condemns” the attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure, warning that such actions would “complicate the situation” and could lead to “uncontrollable consequences that will affect the entire world.”

The widening confrontation has raisedconcerns that energy infrastructure across the Persian Gulf—and beyond—could become a primary battleground, with risks extending to global oil and gas markets.

Markets have already reacted. Wall Street ended sharply lower on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady and signaled only a single rate cut this year, as officials assessed economic risks tied to surging oil prices and the expanding conflict.

Israeli officials have not publicly detailed the operation, but multiple reports suggested the strikes were carried out with US awareness, if not direct coordination.(That’s what Israel does, spread rumors to generate hatred on Trump and America. Thats their goal!)

For now, the immediate damage appears contained.But the sequence of events culminating in the diplomatic fallout between Tehran and Doha underscores how quickly the conflict is spilling beyond its original bounds.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603181481

(No one should forget, Bibi Israel’s goal is to eliminate all the Arab and other countries, so they can take over the whole region, he admitted that publicly, choosing Turkey to destroy first. And now Trump and Rubio should reassure our friends there. And that guy from Axios is either Arab or Jewish that said Trump approved it. Does anyone wonder why many countries want nothing to do with Israel?)

Zachary Cohen

@ZcohenCNN

==A US F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing at US air base in the Middle East after it was struck by what is believed to be Iranian fire, sources tell

@halbritz & @OrenCNN==

.

This would be the first time Iran has hit a US aircraft(in this case a stealth, 5th generation fighter jet)since the war started.

The F-35 was “flying a combat mission over Iran” when it was forced to make an emergency landing, per Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spox for CENTCOM.

“The aircraft landed safely, & the pilot is in stable condition,” Hawkins added. “This incident is under investigation.”

11:19 AM · Mar 19, 2026

·

133.8K

https://x.com/ZcohenCNN/status/2034651049651241186

MARCH 19, 2026

Iran arrests 97 people accused of working with Israel, state media reports

By REUTERS

Today, 1:56 pm

Iran’s intelligence ministryhas arrested 97 people for being “soldiers of Israel,” state media reports, in the latest round of a security sweep that has seen hundreds detained over alleged links to Israel and the US since the start of the war.

Earlier, state media quoted the police commander of Alborz province as saying that41 people were arrested for sending videos to foreign-based opposition media channels.

(https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/iran-arrests-97-people-accused-of-working-with-israel-state-media-reports/

Question the source.

Iran floats Hormuz transit tolls as Persian Gulf states warn of military response

6 hours ago

Iran is considering charging transit fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a lawmaker said on Thursday, as officials in Tehran stepped up rhetoric over the strategic waterway after this week’s attacks on energy sites in the Persian Gulf.

Somayeh Rafiei said lawmakers are pursuing a bill under which countries using the strait for shipping, energy transit and food supplies would be required to pay tolls and taxes to Iran, framing it as compensation for providing security along the route.

“In the event that the Strait of Hormuz is used as a secure route for ship traffic, energy transit and food supply, countries will be required to pay tolls and taxes to the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Rafiei said.

She also saidcountries should pay what she described as a security tax in return for Iran maintaining regional security.

The proposal came as senior Iranian officials suggestedthe war could be used to redefine Tehran’s position in the waterway after the conflict ends.

Mohammad Mokhber said one of the most important opportunities created by the war was the possibility of reshaping Iran’s role in the Strait of Hormuz.

“After the imposed war, by defining a new regime for the Strait of Hormuz, Iran will move from being under sanctions to a powerful position in the region and the world,” Mokhber said.

He added: “By using the strategic position of the Strait of Hormuz, we can sanction them and not allow their ships to pass through this waterway.”

The comments followed a sharp escalation earlier this week when Israel struck Iran’s South Pars gas field, one of the country’s most important energy sites, in an attack that pushed oil and gas prices higher.

Iran retaliated by targeting energy infrastructure across the Persian Gulf, including strikes on facilities in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, widening concerns that the conflict could spread further across the region’s oil and gas network.

That escalation also triggered a stronger response from Arab states. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said pressure from Iran would “backfire politically and morally” and added that Riyadh reserved the right to take military action if needed.

(Do they even own the Gulf, all countries around it only own a short distance in the Gulf, just like every country in the world? If the US wants partners, now is the time to invite them in.Iran says these things for reaction.)

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603196781

>>24401487

I bet the Arab and Gulf countries regret tolerating Iran’s terror and bullshit for decades!

BREAKING: European allies make MAJOR pivot on Strait of Hormuz. (They realized most of their shipping and products come through Hormuz)

5:30

https://youtu.be/I6SOnaBAW6s

Trump vows to 'MASSIVELY BLOW UP' Iran's oil field if Qatar targeted

Fox News' Trey Yingst reports the latest on conflict in the Middle East as Iran targets Gulf nations.Retired Vice Admiral Robert Harwardalso provides his analysis on the regional escalation

11:55

https://youtu.be/nRUED7AE_9s

>>24401507. It funny when Trey Yingst reports from Israel, they always mention Palestinians, etc were killed in Israel. Odd really

UAE issues BLISTERING response after Iranian attack: 'DIRECT THREAT'

Fox News' Trey Yingst reports the latest on missile attacks between Israel and Iran overnight. Lucas Tomlinson also provides the latest on the escalation and how it's impacting oil prices from Dubai

16:00

https://youtu.be/PlXQmNaxhtU

Iran claims F-35 hit (VIDEO)

The stealth aircraft has sustained damage but managed to make an emergency landing, according to American media reports

Published 19 Mar, 2026 17:11

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed strikinga US F-35 fighter jet with anti-aircraft fireand has circulated video of the plane sustaining a hit.

The claims have beencorroborated by CNN, which suggested the aircraftsustained damage but was able to make an emergency landing at an American airbase in the region.

Thermal footage released by the IRGC shows a silhouette of a plane, appearing to match that of a F-35, hit by an unknown projectile.Footage abruptly cuts off after the hit.

“The fate of the fighter jet is unclear and under investigation, and the likelihood of its crash is very high,”the IRGC said in a statement, adding that more than 125 US and Israeli long-range drones have been intercepted during the war.

The US Central Command has acknowledged the incident, stating the aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing while “flying a combat mission over Iran.”The command neither confirmed nor denied whether the plane was hit by ground fire.

“The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition. This incident is under investigation.” spokesperson for US Central Command Capt. Tim Hawkins has said.

Two sources familiar with the incident, however, told CNNthat the aircraft was struck by what is believed to be Iranian fire.

The projectile used to strike the US aircraft appears to be what is called ‘missile 358,’ also known as SA-67, a homegrown Iranian surface-to-air missile introduced in the late 2010s.

It is believed to combine properties of conventional anti-aircraft projectiles and long-range drones, and is supposedlycapable of staying in the air for extended periods of time acting as a loitering munition and waiting for a target to strike.

https://www.rt.com/news/635567-iran-hits-us-f35-jet/

Gas spirals after Israeli strikes trigger retaliation, Moscow warns of ‘tipping point’ (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)

The US president has cautioned Tehran against further strikes on Qatari LNG facilities. 19 Mar, 2026

US President Donald trump has threatened to “massively blow up” Iran’s South Pars natural gas fieldif Tehran continues strikes on Qatari energy facilities. South Pars – shared with Qatar, where it is known as the North Field –is the world’s largest natural gas field.

FollowingIsraeli strikes on South Pars, which are known to have upset Trump, Iran launched retaliatory strikes on Qatari energy facilities which according to Doha caused “extensive damage” sending gas prices spiralling.

Trump claimed no further Israeli attacks would target the South Pars field – but warned that the US would destroy ”the entirety” of the field if Tehran targets Qatar again.

Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev described the exchange of strikes on gas infrastructure as a “tipping point” in the escalating conflict.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, meanwhile, noted that President VladimirPutin had repeatedly warned that escalation around Iranwould destabilize the Middle East and global energy markets.

“We are now witnessing this extreme destabilization throughout the region. The geography of military operations is expanding. We are also seeing the destabilization of global energy markets,” he told reporters on Thursday. “These are the consequences that the entire world is now feeling, including the Russian Federation.”

Here are the latest developments:

• Araghchi has condemned reports that the Pentagon is seeking $200 billion for war on Iran,calling it the “tip of the iceberg” of a “trillion-dollar ‘Israel First tax’” on Americans.

•’European gas prices have jumped to levels last seen during the 2022 energy crisis, with Dutch TTF futures rising nearly 30% in a day after Iran’s strike on Ras Laffan.Qatar is Europe’s second-largest LNG supplier.

•Oil prices continued to surge due to Iran’s de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuzand attacks on energy infrastructure, with Brent crude climbing above $112 per barrel and US WTI nearing $100.

France has urged a moratorium on strikes targeting energy facilities in the region. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said itwas ”sad” that French calls for de-escalation came only after Tehran struck Qatar, lamenting that the West had still not condemned the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

https://www.rt.com/news/635517-us-iran-israel-war-updates/

17:22 GMT

First video

The IDF has claimed to have for the first time struck Iranian missile ships in the Caspian Sea, posting footage on X that allegedly shows some of the strikes. Additionally, auxiliary vessels, patrol boats, a Navy headquarters, as well as repair and maintenance infrastructure was targeted, according to the Israeli military.

https://x.com/IAFsite/status/2034633053776097504?s=20

16:54 GMT

Second video

An alleged supporter of the former Iranian monarchy, which was deposed by the Islamic Revolution in 1979,harassed Iranian female footballers in Australia by repeatedly ramming his pickup truck into the athletes’ bus, Press TV has claimed. The Iranian media outlet posted a short video on its X account, which purportedly recorded the incident.

Press TV

@PressTV

A pro-Pahlavi monarchist terrorized Iranian female footballers in Australia in broad daylight, ramming his car into the athletes' bus multiple times while decorating his pickup with monarchist and Australian flags.

Follow: http://T.me/PressTV

(Both videos attached)

https://x.com/PressTV/status/2034557430214852872?s=20

RT running reports on Middle East, Israel, Iran

16:45 GMT

Kremlin spokesperson DmitryPeskov has described as “unacceptable” the Israeli airstrikeon RT correspondent Steve Sweeney and his cameraman Ali Rida in Lebanon. He said that war correspondents are risking life and limb in conflict zones and are displaying “heroism.” Both journalists sustained non-life-threatening injuries after coming under attack by an Israeli aircraft.

16:40 GMT

The latest generation US F-35 fighter jet may have been struckby Iranian fire and forced to make an emergency landing at a US air base in the Middle East, CNN reports, citing two anonymous sources. If confirmed, the incident would mark the first time an American aircraft has been hit by Iranian air defenses since the hostilities flared up in late February.

CNN quoted Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command, as saying the warplane, whichcosts upwards of $100 million, was “flying a combat mission over Iran” when it was forced to make an emergency landing.

“The pilot is in stable condition,” Hawkins said, adding that the “incident is under investigation,” as quoted by the media outlet

15:52 GMT

Israeli media has reported that a fire has broken out at Israel’s Bazan oil refineryin Haifa following a series of missile strikes by Iran. The plant is considered the largest and most critical facility in Israel, supplying about 50-60% of the country’s fuel.

Reports also suggest that the Krayot suburbs of the Haifa region have been experiencing power outages as a result of the Iranian attacks.

(https://www.rt.com/news/635517-us-iran-israel-war-updates/

Link to two videos

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian

@manniefabian

·

Follow

Footage shows smoke rising from the oil refineries in Haifa following Iran's latest ballistic missile attack.

Embedded video

Embedded video

JjVQhVcy_normal.jpg

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian

@manniefabian

During the latest Iranian missile salvo on Israel, an impact occurred at the oil refineries in Haifa.

Rescue services say there have been no reports of injuries.

Running coverage by RT of Israel, Iran, US3/19/26

15:37 GMT.

After the Israeli airstrike on RT correspondent Steve Sweeney and his cameramanAli Rida, the Israel Defense Forces released a statement claiming that it has seen footage about a journalist near the Qasmiya crossing, but did not provide further details or mention the RT crew by name.

The IDF only stated that “an explicit warning had been issued regarding the area,” and claimed that it “does not target civilians or journalists and operates in accordance with international law.”

Both Sweeny and his cameramanwere wearing clearly labeled press gear and were not near any potential targets during the coverage. They also reported that Israeli aircraft had been operating in the area for some time before they came under attack.

15:33 GMT.

US strikes on Iran and the continued killing of top Iranian officialswill achieve nothing but further enrage the Iranian people and makeany sort of negotiations between Washington and Tehran impossible, former CIA officer Philip Giraldihas told RT.

Commenting on Trump’s statement that he would eventually like to make a deal with Iran, Giraldi stated that “it would be very difficult to find someone willing to negotiate with the US under any circumstancesnow that the last two negotiations led to a surprise attack in both cases. This is a non-starter.”

The only way to end the conflict, according to Giraldi, is for Trump to announce a US withdrawal and admit that “the venture was a mistake” and cut ties with Israel. (KEK I agree with cutting ties)

15:14 GMT.2nd video

Israel has a record of deliberately targeting journalists, former senior security policy analyst in the office of the US secretary of defense,Michael Maloof has told RT in response to the attack on Sweeney and his cameraman.

Maloof doubted that the attack was an accident, noting that the“Israelis are pretty precise,” and that the proximity of the blast to where the RT crew was standing indicates that it was a deliberate “direct hit.”

He also pointed out that such attacks are par for the course for Israel, which has killed dozens of journalists throughout the Gaza conflict.

https://www.rt.com/news/635517-us-iran-israel-war-updates/

US dragged by Israel into ‘unlawful war’ with Iran – Gulf state

Washington now needs help to disengage, Oman has said

Published 19 Mar, 2026 15:46 |

The US has been drawn by Israel into an “unlawful war” against Iran and needs help to disengage, Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi has said.

In an opinion piece published in The Economist on Wednesday, the Middle East nation’s top diplomat called on US allies in the regionto “tell the truth” about the conflict and admit that Washington “has lost control”of its own foreign policy. “There aretwo parties to this war who have nothing to gain from it, “ he wrote, referring to the US and Iran.

The US maintains close security and defense partnerships with six Gulf states – Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman – and has a significant military presence in the region, including bases and naval facilities.

The escalation has had economic and security consequences for these states, with Iran retaliating against targets on their territory.

Gulf officials have reportedly complained they were not consultedor warned before the US and Israel launched the campaign against Iran on February 28.

Albusaidi, who acted as a mediator in nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran, wrote that the parties had twice come close to a deal in nine months, noting that the airstrike campaign began immediately after the most substantive talks.

”Israel and America again launched an unlawful military strike against the peace that had briefly appeared really possible,” he wrote, adding that Iran’s retaliation was “inevitable==.”

He argued that Washington’sgreatest mistake was “entering a war that is not its own,” adding thatIsrael seeks regime change in Iran, whileUS interests lie in ending nuclear proliferation and securing energy supplies.

The US leadership must “decide where its national interests really lie, and act accordingly,” Albusaidi wrote. He acknowledged that while returning to talks may prove difficult for both sides, renewed negotiations, potentially mediated by the Gulf states, may provide a path forward.

Tehran hasdescribed the negotiations as a US-Israeli deception operation. Former US National Counterterrorism Center head Joe Kent said thatIsrael and allied media figures ran a “misinformation campaign” to push Washington toward war with Iran, according to his resignation letter published on Thursday.

Former Saudi intelligence chief, Prince Turki al-Faisal, also blamed the conflict on Israel, claiming that Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu “somehow convinced”US President Donald Trump “to support his views.”

(This article makes sense. PDJT’s relationship should align with the Gulf States, they all like each other. And if the rest is true, there should be the final change. The situation cannot be a complete break with the Jews, but a complete break from being dragged into Bibi’s and Israel’s war. Treat them like Russia and Ukraine. Perhaps that will end Israel starting more wars! But Trump will need a lot more protection.)

https://www.rt.com/news/635550-us-help-ending-unlawful/

(If Bibi is really dead, it will be a good time to return to Trump’s real policy. One of the problems with Witkoff and Jared are concerned, I think Jared lied or manipulated Witkoff in some way?According to Sundance and others they believe is really working for Israel only. At least when this “war” is over, our relationship with Israel must change and Jared should not be involved in any diplomatic communications with any country connected to the US. He should go back to work on making billions, and retire from helping.)

>>24401898. As a matter of fact alienate Iran and Israel when it comes to their wars

‘Collapse from within': Bessent says US seeing defections in Iran at all levels

4 hours ago

"We are seeing defections [in Iran] at all levels as they're starting to sense what's going on with the regime," US Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent told reporters.

"It doesn't get reported here in the US very well, but we are trouncing them from the air, and the regime will probably collapse within itself."

"At treasury, we've seen where they've wired their money out of the country. We're coming for that.

We're going to get it back to the Iranian people,"Bessent said.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603192696

Qatar condemns Iran's attempts to drag Mideast states into war

4 hours ago

Qatar's prime minister and foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpartcondemned what he called Iran's "continuous attempts to drag the region into this confrontation."

He strongly denounced the Iranian attacks on regional energy facilitiesand called for its immediate cessation, rejecting Iran's claims that the attacks were aimed at US-linked sites.

"We also stress the need for the full implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions,which explicitly call on Iran to halt these attacks and its approach of escalating the conflict in the region."

He said diplomacy must be based on mutual respect,but Iran has destroyed trust with its 'aggression'.

(This is the first time they have publicly condemned Iran’s deceit and betrayal. When they piss off Qatar, the country that works with both sides it’s truly a bad omen for Iran. Qatar will no longer help Iran.)

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603194628

US, Israeli war aims in Iran differ, Gabbard says

5 hours ago

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said on Thursday that American and Israeli objectives in Iran are not the same.

“The objectives… laid out by the president are different from the objectives… of the Israeli government,”she said.

Gabbard said Israel has focused on targeting Iran’s leadership,while US goals include destroying missile capabilities and naval forces.

When asked whether the US had been forced into the Iran war by Israel,both Gabbard and CIA Chief John Ratcliffe responded negatively.

(This is really earth shattering that our Intelligence Agenciesare subtly revealing they know Israel’s motivation to drag us into to war.Never has the US admitted this. Israel will be pissed at these two, so they will need a lot more protection!Thoughts Anons?Did Trump give them the Ok? Otherwise they wouldn’t have admitted that. Is that a sign that Israel will not be able to drag us into any more of their wars?)

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603196572

Breaking911

@Breaking911

Blackstone Valley Wins Division II Hockey Title in Emotional Quadruple Overtime Victory

Blackstone Valley Schools captured the Division II high school hockey championship Wednesday night with a dramatic quadruple overtime win over Lincoln at the Amica Mutual Pavilion.Colin Dorgan delivered a clutch moment late in regulation, tying the game with just 30 seconds remaining to force overtime.

After a grueling series of extra periods,Jaxon Boyes sealed the victory with the game-winning goal early in the fourth overtime, securing the championship for Blackstone Valley.

The win comesamid deep personal and team tragedyfollowing a shooting last month at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket.Dorgan, who lost his mother, brother, and grandfather in the incident, had also scored a double-overtime game-winnerin the semifinal just a week earlier. Calling the championship the best moment of his life, Dorgan and his teammates continue to cope with the loss while finding strength and unity through their historic title run.

VIA:

@NBC10

https://x.com/Breaking911/status/2034449018927882716?s=20