War: ‘Vacate immediately’ – Iran to residents as it vows to strike Saudi Arabia, UAE
World News War: ‘Vacate immediately’ – Iran to residents as it vows to strike Saudi Arabia, UAE Published on March 18, 2026 By John Owen Nwachukwu googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1500386953281-8'); }); Iran has issued threats to strike energy infrastructure throughout the Gulf region in response to Israeli attacks on its largest gasfield, marking the first direct assaults on its fossil fuel production since the onset of the conflict. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have warned of counterstrikes targeting various energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar “in the coming hours” following reports from state media indicating that missiles had struck its gas facilities at the expansive South Pars field, which holds the largest gas reserves globally. The assaults on Iran’s South Pars gasfield, which it shares with Qatar, were extensively reported in Israeli media as having been executed by Israel with the approval of the United States. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1524595905268-5'); }); This attack on the core of Iran’s gas infrastructure signifies a significant escalation in military operations by the US and Israel. Until now, both nations have largely refrained from targeting Iran’s oil and gas sector, thereby helping to stabilize the global oil price surge. On Wednesday afternoon, the oil price surged towards $110 a barrel as the increasing threat to the Gulf’s oil and gas infrastructure raised concerns about further disruptions to global supplies, amidst the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s state media has identified several targets for the regime, including Saudi Arabia’s Samref refinery and Jubail petrochemical complex, the UAE’s al-Hosn gasfield, and Qatar’s Mesaieed petrochemical complex and holding company, along with the Ras Laffan refinery. “These facilities have now become direct and legitimate targets and will be attacked in the near future. Consequently, all citizens, residents, and employees are urged to vacate these areas immediately and move to a safe distance without delay,” the warning stated. Eskandar Pasalar, the governor of Asaluyeh in southern Iran, denounced the US-Israeli escalation as “political suicide.” He informed Iran’s state media that “the pendulum of war has swung” towards a “full-scale economic war.” A Qatari government spokesperson, Majid al-Ansari, warned that targeting energy infrastructure “constitutes a threat to global energy security, as well as to the peoples of the region and its environment”. Don't Miss Ramadan: Saudi Arabia declares Friday Eid al-Fitr You may like Ramadan: Saudi Arabia declares Friday Eid al-Fitr Iran confirms assassination of Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib Chelle invites Ndidi, Iwobi, Lookman, 20 others for Iran, Jordan friendlies Iran executes man allegedly spying for Israel Iran strikes Israel with cluster warheads War: Australia confirms Iran strikes hit near airbase