Trump reportedly does not want to attack Iran's energy facilities again for the time being.

On the early morning of the 19th local time, Iran launched the 63rd round of “True Promise-4” operations. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued an emergency statement announcing a large-scale missile attack on oil and energy facilities related to the U.S. in the region. This action is a direct retaliation for the earlier attack on Iran’s energy infrastructure on the 18th.

The statement pointed out that this retaliation aims to target energy facilities with American interests or shares owned by U.S. entities. It emphasized that Iran was initially reluctant to escalate the war into the energy sector or affect neighboring countries’ economies, but enemy provocations have pushed the conflict into a “new phase.”

The statement confirmed that Iran’s armed forces have carried out multiple rounds of strikes, ensuring that the losses inflicted on the enemy are on the same level as the damage to Iran’s infrastructure. It also warned that if attacks continue, Iran will expand its strikes to all energy infrastructure of U.S. and Israeli allies, until they are “completely destroyed.”

Fighting Spreads to Gulf Neighbors

The South Pars gas field, located in the Persian Gulf and shared by Iran and Qatar, is the world’s largest natural gas field. Iranian sources reported that on the 18th, some petrochemical facilities in South Pars and Asaluyeh in Iran’s Bushehr Province were attacked by the U.S. and Israel.

Israeli officials stated on the 18th that the attack was coordinated with the U.S… A U.S. official denied U.S. involvement, saying the operation was carried out by Israel.

Iran’s National Gas Company said that around 2 p.m. that day, facilities related to the South Pars gas field were attacked by hostile forces, causing a fire. The fire has been fully extinguished, and the national energy supply remains normal.

After the attack on energy infrastructure, the spokesperson for Iran’s Hatem Amnia Central Headquarters stated that Iran would retaliate severely. President Ebrahim Raisi said such acts of aggression would complicate the situation further and could trigger uncontrollable chain reactions affecting the global economy.

The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued an emergency warning that oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar have become “legitimate targets” and will be attacked in the coming hours, urging residents in the region to evacuate. The statement also said that clear warnings had been repeatedly issued to these countries before, “yet they continue to blindly obey and make decisions imposed from abroad that do not reflect the will of their own people. All consequences arising from this will be their full responsibility.”

That evening, Qatar’s Ministry of Defense announced that Qatar was hit by five ballistic missiles. The Qatari missile defense system successfully intercepted four, while one missile struck Ras Laffan Industrial City, causing a fire. Ras Laffan is the world’s largest liquefied natural gas production facility. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry subsequently declared the Iranian ambassador and related staff at the embassy in Qatar as “persona non grata” and demanded their departure within 24 hours.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense reported that the capital Riyadh was targeted by ballistic missile attacks. The air defense system intercepted and destroyed four missiles, with no initial reports of casualties.

Iran claimed to have successfully struck the U.S.-exclusive zone at the Riyadh oil and gas joint refinery near Riyadh. Explosions occurred inside the refinery, causing a large fire. It is reported that this attack destroyed the fuel reserves for the refinery, which could directly paralyze or severely hinder the U.S. military’s aircraft fuel supply chain.

Trump reportedly not interested in attacking Iran’s energy facilities again

On March 18, local time, according to The Wall Street Journal citing U.S. officials, after Israel attacked Iran’s South Pars gas field, President Trump stated that he “does not want further attacks on Iran’s energy facilities.”

The report said Trump was briefed in advance on Israel’s plans to attack South Pars and expressed support, aiming to send a message to Iran in response to its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. officials believe that “Iran has understood this message,” and therefore Trump currently opposes continuing attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure. However, depending on Iran’s future actions in the strategic waterway, Trump may reconsider targeting more Iranian energy facilities.

As Israel and Iran threaten to launch more attacks on oil facilities, international oil prices rose on the 18th. The May futures of London Brent crude increased by $3.96, closing at $107.38 per barrel, a 3.83% rise.

Latest on U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran

Multiple explosions occur in the port city of Enzeli, Iran

CCTV reporter learned that on the evening of the 18th, multiple explosions occurred in the Iranian port city of Enzeli on the Caspian Sea coast, with Israeli Air Force conducting airstrikes on Iranian naval vessels in the area.

IDF claims large-scale airstrikes on over 200 Iranian military targets

On the evening of March 18, Israel Defense Forces announced in a statement that within the past 24 hours, the Israeli Air Force attacked over 200 targets in western and central Iran. Targets included storage sites and launch facilities for Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, as well as air defense systems and weapons manufacturing bases.

U.S. military drops multiple GBU-72 bunker busters on Iranian missile sites

The U.S. Central Command stated on social media on the 17th that U.S. forces used multiple 5,000-pound GBU-72 bunker busters to strike Iranian missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz. Reports indicate these bombs are GBU-72 models.

Most of Iran’s internet connectivity cut off nationwide

CCTV reporter learned that on the afternoon of the 18th, most of Iran, including the capital Tehran, experienced a complete disconnect from the international internet, with diplomatic missions and communications outside Iran almost entirely cut off. Some domestic networks in Iran remain operational.

Trump considers further strikes against the current Iranian regime

On March 18, local time, U.S. President Trump posted on social media that the U.S. is considering further strikes against the current Iranian regime, stating that countries relying on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz should bear the related security responsibilities, not the U.S… Trump also said this move would prompt some allies to accelerate their actions.

“Littoral” amphibious assault ship heads to the Middle East amid fears of deploying ground troops to Iran

As the conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran continues, and the Strait of Hormuz traffic is obstructed, the U.S. is deploying more Marine Corps units and warships to the Middle East. On the 17th, the amphibious assault ship USS Littoral was spotted near Singapore. U.S. officials said the ship is transporting personnel to the Middle East.

Iranian Foreign Minister: Israel frequently assassinates

International community should not double standards

On the evening of the 18th, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian posted on social media that Israel is normalizing its “revolting” assassination tactics without regard for consequences, and the international community should not apply double standards or ignore Israel’s reckless actions.

The day before, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a video on social media showing him talking with U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, displaying a card related to assassinations of Iranian officials, claiming that he “erased two names” from it, implying Israel’s assassination of Iran’s top security official and a militia commander.

Amir-Abdollahian wrote that if Iran’s president showed a foreign ambassador a “kill list” with U.S. presidents, Congress leaders, and senior generals, and then announced they would be eliminated one by one, the UN Security Council would hold an emergency meeting, and media would frenzy over sanctions, threats, and even war—packaged under the guise of “international law” and “maintaining global order.”

He pointed out that, however, when it comes to Israel, the usual rules seem not to apply. The so-called “guardians of law and order” remain silent, equivocate, or even provide weapons and shelter to Israel. This reflects a deliberate moral collapse, where rules only apply to opponents, and exemptions are reserved for allies.

He also said that Israel is dragging its U.S. partners deeper into a moral and political abyss.

On February 28, the U.S. and Israel launched a large-scale military operation against Iran, resulting in the deaths of Iran’s top leader Ayatollah Khamenei and several senior military and political officials in the airstrikes. Iran responded with attacks on Israeli and U.S. military bases in the Middle East. On the 18th, Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz stated that he and Netanyahu had jointly authorized the Israeli military to target “any senior Iranian officials” without approval, and “all Iranians are targets.”

Differences in the “final goal” of U.S.-Israeli actions

According to U.S. reports on the 18th, despite close communication between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding the Iran war, there may be differences in the “ultimate goal” and risk tolerance.

U.S. officials believe that the U.S. prefers to end major operations after achieving core military objectives, including weakening Iran’s missile, nuclear, naval capabilities, and proxy networks; while Israel is more focused on regime change through high-level assassinations. A White House official said, “Israel’s focus is different; we are clear,” and noted that Israel “leans more toward targeting Iranian leadership.”

On energy issues, disagreements also exist. The U.S. emphasizes stabilizing global oil prices, while Israel’s attacks on Iranian oil storage facilities have caused U.S. dissatisfaction. The White House has demanded that future Israeli actions be pre-approved.

There is growing skepticism within the U.S. about the motives behind this war. On the 17th, U.S. Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent resigned in protest of military actions against Iran. Commentator Su Xiaohui analyzed that many now realize that U.S. overuse of force has not achieved the desired results and may entrap the U.S. further. Many Republicans are also silent out of caution. With midterm elections scheduled for November, where all House seats and a third of Senate seats will be contested, increasing partisan divisions could impact Trump’s subsequent governance. If the U.S. government continues military actions now, Trump’s core supporters—those who support “Making America Great Again”—may split.

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(Source: Daily Economic News)