The Greek Courier
Source: Reuters
Donald Trump wants us to believe that he knew nothing about the Israeli strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field, as he publicly chastised it and warned that he would not allow further unilateral Israeli attacks on the facility unless Tehran escalated. Too little too late, as Israel's unilateral strike — one of the most consequential since the conflict began — triggered Iranian missile strikes on gas infrastructure in Qatar and attempted strikes on Saudi facilities, exacerbating already severe disruptions to global energy supplies. The deliberate escalation and ensuing tit‑for‑tat attacks have already driven oil and gas prices higher and prompted the U.S. to consider sending additional troops to the region to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. However, targeting major energy infrastructure transforms an asymmetric regional conflict into one with global economic consequences and raises moral and legal questions about striking sites that serve civilians across borders.
Like a crybaby deprived of his pacifier
Trump said on X that Israel had “violently lashed out” at South Pars, a strategic energy asset that Iran shares with Qatar, and asserted the United States had not received advance notice. At least now we know who's running the show...
He added that “NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL on this extremely important and valuable South Pars Field unless Iran unwisely decides to attack a very innocent, in this case, Qatar.”
Then Trump followed that warning with an extraordinary threat: that the United States, “with or without the help or consent of Israel,” would “massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field” with force Iran has never seen or witnessed before. What an inferiority complex!
Reuters reporting indicates the Israeli strike represented a deliberate escalation aimed at crippling Iran’s ability to project power via energy sources — and to punish Tehran for attacks on U.S. and allied assets in the region. South Pars, the Iranian sector of the world’s largest gas deposit, is not only an energy prize but a geopolitical lever. Striking it signalled a willingness by Israel — and by implication its partners — to target infrastructure far beyond military installations. That choice risks broadening the conflict: energy facilities are dual-use targets that, if damaged, produce cascading economic and humanitarian effects across the Gulf and the wider global market.
Trump’s public denunciation of the Israeli strike and his declaration that Israel should refrain from further attacks can be read in two ways. On one level, it was damage control: the strike immediately raised oil and gas prices and provoked Iranian retaliation that hit Qatar and threatened Saudi energy sites — imperilling economies and U.S. partners. Trump’s statement sought to distance Washington from rogue escalation while placing a clear red line around further action against shared regional energy infrastructure.
On another level, Trump’s message was double-edged. While forbidding further Israeli strikes for now, he simultaneously issued a direct U.S. threat to destroy South Pars should Iran continue to attack “innocent” neighbours — language that effectively signals U.S. willingness to use overwhelming force to prop up regional stability as America defines it. That posture increases the likelihood of a direct U.S.-Iran confrontation and risks drawing more foreign militaries into an intensifying theatre.
Reuters reporting and subsequent diplomatic statements show broad international alarm at the attacks on energy infrastructure. Gulf states reacted strongly: QatarEnergy reported “extensive damage” to facilities in Ras Laffan after Iranian missile strikes, while Saudi Arabia said it intercepted missiles aimed at Riyadh and a gas site. Islamic foreign ministers meeting in Riyadh condemned Iran’s strikes on neighbours and warned of possible military responses.
Russia publicly condemned U.S. and Israeli interference and pledged rhetorical support for Tehran, but Moscow’s practical ability to shield Iran is constrained by other geopolitical pressures, Reuters notes.
The European Union — speaking through multiple EU officials and spokespeople — has expressed deep concern about strikes on civilian infrastructure and the risk to global energy security. EU reactions have emphasized the need for de-escalation, protection of civilian lives and infrastructure, and adherence to international law. Brussels has urged all parties to avoid actions that could imperil energy flows or further destabilise the region. EU leaders have also signalled readiness to support diplomatic initiatives to defuse the crisis and to coordinate steps to stabilise energy markets, though they have stopped short of endorsing military responses.
Reuters’ reporting underscores that the strategic calculus is now more fraught: Israel’s apparent decision to hit South Pars elevated the conflict from targeted military strikes to an attack with wide-reaching civilian impact. Trump’s mixed posture — publicly rebuking Israel while threatening overwhelming U.S. retaliation against Iran — may temporarily restrain partner escalation, but it also leaves open the prospect of rapid escalation into a direct U.S.-Iran confrontation.
To pretend damage control and then escalate the threat level to oblivion is a recipe for total disaster
Trump’s public denunciation of the Israeli strike and his declaration that Israel should refrain from further attacks can be read in two ways. On one level, it was damage control: the strike immediately raised oil and gas prices and provoked Iranian retaliation that hit Qatar and threatened Saudi energy sites — imperilling economies and U.S. partners. Trump’s statement sought to distance Washington from rogue escalation while placing a clear red line around further action against shared regional energy infrastructure.
On another level, Trump’s message was double-edged. While forbidding further Israeli strikes for now, he simultaneously issued a direct U.S. threat to destroy South Pars should Iran continue to attack “innocent” neighbours — language that effectively signals U.S. willingness to use overwhelming force to prop up regional stability as America defines it. That posture increases the likelihood of a direct U.S.-Iran confrontation and risks drawing more foreign militaries into an intensifying theatre.
Reuters reporting and subsequent diplomatic statements show broad international alarm at the attacks on energy infrastructure. Gulf states reacted strongly: QatarEnergy reported “extensive damage” to facilities in Ras Laffan after Iranian missile strikes, while Saudi Arabia said it intercepted missiles aimed at Riyadh and a gas site. Islamic foreign ministers meeting in Riyadh condemned Iran’s strikes on neighbours and warned of possible military responses.
Russia publicly condemned U.S. and Israeli interference and pledged rhetorical support for Tehran, but Moscow’s practical ability to shield Iran is constrained by other geopolitical pressures, Reuters notes.
The European Union — speaking through multiple EU officials and spokespeople — has expressed deep concern about strikes on civilian infrastructure and the risk to global energy security. EU reactions have emphasized the need for de-escalation, protection of civilian lives and infrastructure, and adherence to international law. Brussels has urged all parties to avoid actions that could imperil energy flows or further destabilise the region. EU leaders have also signalled readiness to support diplomatic initiatives to defuse the crisis and to coordinate steps to stabilise energy markets, though they have stopped short of endorsing military responses.
Reuters’ reporting underscores that the strategic calculus is now more fraught: Israel’s apparent decision to hit South Pars elevated the conflict from targeted military strikes to an attack with wide-reaching civilian impact. Trump’s mixed posture — publicly rebuking Israel while threatening overwhelming U.S. retaliation against Iran — may temporarily restrain partner escalation, but it also leaves open the prospect of rapid escalation into a direct U.S.-Iran confrontation.
To pretend damage control and then escalate the threat level to oblivion is a recipe for total disaster
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