TEHRAN — Iranian Revolutionary Guard officials threatened immediate strikes against Gulf energy facilities Tuesday after Israeli forces targeted the South Pars natural gas complex in what Tehran called an unprecedented act of economic warfare.

The offshore gasfield attack represents Israel's first direct strike on Iranian energy infrastructure, sending shockwaves through regional capitals and global energy markets. South Pars supplies approximately 70 percent of Iran's natural gas production and ranks among the world's largest proven reserves. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmad al-Rumaihi condemned the Israeli operation as a "dangerous and irresponsible step that threatens regional stability."

Revolutionary Guard Navy Commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri warned that Iranian forces would target "any energy installation" belonging to countries supporting Israeli operations. His statement specifically mentioned UAE and Saudi Arabian facilities, raising concerns about potential attacks on critical infrastructure serving global oil markets. Energy analysts noted that the Gulf region accounts for nearly 40 percent of worldwide petroleum exports, making any disruption economically catastrophic.

Regional diplomatic sources report emergency consultations between Gulf Cooperation Council members as governments assess security measures for energy installations. The Iranian threats coincide with increased naval activity in the Strait of Hormuz, where approximately 20 percent of global oil transit occurs daily. Dr. Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East programme at Chatham House, observed that "Iran's response options remain limited but potentially devastating for regional energy security."