Trump Urges Netanyahu Against Targeting Oil and Gas Infrastructure

Last Updated:March 19, 2026, 22:39 IST

President Trump told Israeli PM Netanyahu not to target oil and gas infrastructure, distancing the US from recent strikes on Iran’s energy sites, and denied prior knowledge.

President Trump told Israeli PM Netanyahu not to target oil and gas infrastructure, distancing the US from recent strikes on Iran’s energy sites. (Image: AP)

US President Donald Trump has said he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against targeting oil and gas infrastructure, even as Washington distanced itself from recent strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure.

Responding to a reporter’s question, Trump said he had directly conveyed his concerns to Netanyahu. “I told him, don’t do that, and he won’t do that [attack energy sites]… we’re not doing that anymore,” Trump said, indicating a shift away from targeting critical energy sites.

The remarks come amid escalating tensions following Israel’s strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field, one of the world’s largest natural gas reserves, which triggered a wave of retaliatory attacks across the Gulf.

Trump also stressed that the United States had no prior knowledge of the strike. “The US knew nothing about this particular attack,” he had said earlier, distancing Washington from the operation.

What Is the South Pars Gas Field?

The South Pars gas field is the largest natural gas field in the world, shared between Iran and Qatar, where it is known as the North Dome field. It holds an estimated 10% of the world’s known natural gas reserves and is central to global energy supply. For Iran, it accounts for around 70% of domestic gas production, making it the backbone of its energy system. On the Qatari side, it is crucial for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports that supply major markets in Europe and Asia. Located in the Persian Gulf, South Pars is a key pillar of energy production for both countries, and any disruption to the field can have immediate global consequences, including supply shocks and rising energy prices.

The attack on the Iranian gas field marked a significant escalation in the conflict, bringing core energy infrastructure directly into the line of fire. In the aftermath of the strike, Iran retaliated by targeting energy facilities across the Gulf, including LNG hubs such as Qatar’s Ras Laffan. 

Read More