US President Donald Trump has issued a statement following attacks on a major gas field shared by Iran and Qatar on Wednesday.
According to reports, Israel hit Iran's South Pars, and Tehran retaliated by striking an energy complex in Qatar, leading to a spike in energy prices.
Trump's statement threatened Iran, saying he didn't know about Israel's plans for the attack, which contradicts reports in Israeli newspapers.
Police Response and Timeline
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a press conference, stating that Israel had acted alone in striking the gas field and that Trump had asked that Israeli forces hold off from further attacks.
Netanyahu emphasized that the two countries are in lockstep on Iran, with Trump in charge.
Investigation and Official Statements
David Satterfield, a former US special envoy for the Middle East, said Israeli and American objectives are closely aligned, except when it comes to when to call a halt.
Satterfield believes Trump wishes to find a means to credibly declare a victory that does not ring empty.
International Implications
Parts of Trump's statement are classic in tone, with threats to use unprecedented levels of violence to get his way.
Trump warned that if Iran attacks Qatar's LNG facilities again, the US will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field.
Economic and Social Impact
Oil and gas prices have risen again after fresh strikes hit key infrastructure in the Middle East.
Just under 100 ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz since the start of March, according to data analyzed by BBC Verify.
