Trump assures no further Israeli attacks on South Pars gas field

US President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that Israel will not carry out any further attacks related to the strategically vital South Pars gas field, in a statement that carries profound implications for energy security across the Gulf region and global markets.

The assurance came amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, with concerns mounting over the potential targeting of critical energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf. South Pars, located in the waters between Iran and Qatar, represents the world's largest natural gas field and serves as the backbone of both nations' energy sectors.

Trump's confirmation is particularly significant for Qatar, which shares the massive offshore reservoir with Iran. Qatar's portion, known as the North Field, is the single largest source of liquefied natural gas on the planet and underpins the Gulf state's position as the world's leading LNG exporter. Any military action in the vicinity of the field would pose catastrophic risks to Qatar's energy infrastructure and the global gas supply chain.

The South Pars-North Field complex holds an estimated 1,800 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and approximately 50 billion barrels of condensate, making it one of the most economically consequential geological formations on Earth. Disruption to operations at the field would send shockwaves through international energy markets already grappling with supply uncertainties.

Qatar has invested hundreds of billions of dollars in expanding its North Field operations, with major expansion projects currently underway to boost LNG production capacity from 77 million tonnes per annum to 142 million tonnes by the end of the decade. These projects represent partnerships with some of the world's largest energy companies, including Shell, TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil, and ConocoPhillips.

Doha has consistently called for de-escalation in the region and has positioned itself as a key mediator in multiple conflicts, including the ongoing negotiations surrounding the Gaza ceasefire. Qatar's diplomatic efforts have repeatedly emphasized the need to keep energy infrastructure out of any military calculations, a position that appears to have gained traction with the current US administration.

Regional analysts noted that Trump's statement reflects Washington's recognition that any strike near the shared gas field would not only affect Iran but would directly threaten the interests of Qatar, a major US ally that hosts the largest American military base in the Middle East at Al Udeid.

Energy markets responded to the news with cautious relief, as natural gas futures eased slightly following the announcement. Industry observers, however, warned that the broader geopolitical uncertainty in the region continues to pose risks to long-term investment and supply stability.