3 min readUpdated: Mar 19, 2026 08:59 AM ISTDonald Trump assured Israel will not target the South Pars Field unless Iran attacks "innocents" (AP Photo).US President Donald Trump on Thursday said the US had no clue about Israel launching an attack on the South Pars Gas Field in Iran. He also said Iran did not know this and “unfairly attacked” Qatar’s LNG facility. This is the first time the US has said that Israel has acted without taking it into confidence since both nations launched the joint operation against Iran on February 28.“Israel, out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East, has violently lashed out at a major facility known as South Pars Gas Field in Iran. A relatively small section of the whole has been hit. The United States knew nothing about this particular attack, and the country of Qatar was in no way, shape, or form, involved with it, nor did it have any idea that it was going to happen,” Trump posted on Truth Social.CHECK HERE THE LATEST UPDATES ON THE SITUATION IN UAE AND DUBAI.The attack on Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial cityOn March 18-19, 2026, Iranian forces fired ballistic missiles targeting Ras Laffan Industrial City, the heart of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure and one of the world’s most important energy export hubs. According to state energy giant QatarEnergy, several missiles struck the facility, sparking fires and causing “extensive damage” to critical processing units, though there were no reported casualties as safety protocols and evacuations were implemented.Qatar’s government condemned the attack as a dangerous escalation and violation of sovereignty, closed parts of its airspace, and responded diplomatically by expelling Iranian military and security attaches. The strike was likely part of Tehran’s retaliation for earlier attacks on its South Pars gas fields by Israeli forces.Qatar supplies roughly 20 % of the world’s LNG, and any sustained operational setbacks at Ras Laffan could tighten global gas markets already under strain from Middle East hostilities.Trump threatens IranTrump further sought to assure that Israel will not target the South Pars Field unless Iran attacks “innocents”.Story continues below this ad“NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL pertaining to this extremely important and valuable South Pars Field unless Iran unwisely decides to attack a very innocent, in this case, Qatar,” he said.Trump further 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”.Trump said: “I do not want to authorise this level of violence and destruction because of the long term implications that it will have on the future of Iran. But if Qatar’s LNG [facility] is again attacked, I will not hesitate to do so.”The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdTags:Iran-Israel WarUS President Donald Trump