Dubai, Abu Dhabi News Live Updates: LNG facilities ‘extensively damaged’ after fresh missile attacks, says state-owned QatarEnergy
Dubai, UAE, Abu Dhabi Attack News Today Live Updates: US President Donald Trump on Thursday said US was unaware of Israel’s plan to strike Iran’s South Pars Gas Field, following which Iran ramped up its offensive in Qatar, attacking the country’s main gas facility — Ras Laffan Industrial City. He added that Iran did not know this and “unfairly attacked” Qatar’s LNG facility. Trump assured that Israel will not target the South Pars Field unless Iran attacks “innocents”. He also warned Tehran that if it decided to carry out such attacks, the US, with or without the help of Israel, will “blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before”.
State-owned QatarEnergy said on Thursday that several of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities sustained extensive damage following fresh Iranian strikes. This comes hours after an attack on Ras Laffan Industrial City on Wednesday resulted in extensive damage to the Pearl GTL (Gas-to-Liquids) facility.
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In a joint statement released on Thursday, foreign ministers of 12 Arab and Islamic states called on Iran to “immediately halt its attacks” and respect international law, CNN reported. In a meeting that took place in Riyadh, the ministers denounced Iran’s attacks on the Gulf states, Jordan, Azerbaijan and Turkey, which they said had targeted “residential areas, civilian infrastructure, including oil facilities, desalination plants, airports, residential buildings and diplomatic premises.” The leaders also condemned Israeli strikes on Lebanon and “reaffirmed support for the security, stability and territorial integrity of Lebanon.”
Saudi Arabia on Thursday said it “reserves right to take military action against Iran” as Tehran ramps up its offensive against the Kingdom. “We have reserved the right to take military actions, if deemed necessary, and if the time comes, the leadership of the Kingdom will take the necessary decision. We will not shy away from protecting our country and our economic resources,” the Kingdom’s foreign minister said, adding, Saudi Arabia “is not going to succumb to pressure.”
Top Developments:
- Iran intensifies attack: Tehran stepped up attacks on the UAE after Israeli strikes killed two senior Iranian officials — security chief Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani.
- Saudi Arabia intercepts missile and drones: Saudi air defences shot down a ballistic missile targeting Al-Kharj Governorate, with debris falling near Prince Sultan Air Base, which hosts US forces. The kingdom also intercepted 13 drones over its eastern province.
- UAE base targeted: An Iranian projectile struck near Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE, but all Australian defence personnel were safe, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
- Regional diplomacy push: Saudi Arabia will host foreign ministers from Arab and Islamic countries in Riyadh for consultations on regional security and stability.
- The UAE Ministry of Defense says the country’s air defences are “currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran”.
Flight Disruptions:
Mass cancellations: Airlines worldwide have suspended or cancelled flights to key Middle East hubs Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Tel Aviv, Beirut, Riyadh.
Major carriers affected: Airlines like Air France-KLM, Lufthansa Group, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta, Air Canada have halted services.
UAE operations limited: Emirates and Etihad Airways are running reduced flight schedules amid partial airspace reopening.
Qatar airspace shut: Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended operations, with only limited flights planned.
Indian impact: IndiGo has suspended flights to Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain, Dammam, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah until March 28.
Live Updates
