US President Donald Trump has issued a statement regarding the recent attacks on a major gas field shared by Iran and Qatar.
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 stated that the US "knew nothing about this particular attack", contradicting reports from Israeli newspapers, including Yedioth Ahronoth and Israel Hayom, which suggest the attack was coordinated with the US.
Police Response and Timeline
Israeli officials have emphasized that the two countries are aligned on their goals regarding Iran, with Alex Gandler, spokesman for the Israeli embassy in London, stating "We are very much aligned on most or all of our goals regarding the Islamic regime in Iran".
However, Israel has been more consistent in its desire to see regime change in Iran, with Prime Minister Netanyahu having made no secret of his decades-long desire to topple the Islamic regime.
Investigation and Objectives
David Satterfield, a former US special envoy for the Middle East, believes that Israeli and American objectives are closely aligned, except when it comes to when to call a halt.
Satterfield stated that Trump wishes to find a means to credibly declare a victory, while Netanyahu sees Iran's chaotic breakdown as a desirable goal.
Official Statements
Trump has warned that if Iran attacks Qatar's LNG facilities again, the US "with or without the help or consent of Israel, will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field".
This statement has been seen as a reflection of Trump's impatience with the ongoing conflict, with oil and gas prices rising and little sign of progress in efforts to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Economic Implications
The conflict is having economic implications, with the Utility Regulator warning of potential higher prices, and analysts fearing the disruption to supply could continue for longer than initially thought.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has suggested waiving sanctions on oil already at sea, which would be a stunning reversal of longstanding American policy.
