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Key energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf came under attack on wednesday night (local time), with fires reported at a major facility in Qatar and aerial threats intercepted over Saudi Arabia, following warnings from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), CNN reported.
Qatar's Interior Ministry said Civil Defence teams were responding to a blaze at the Ras Laffan Industrial City, a critical natural gas processing hub and cornerstone of the Qatari economy, "following an Iranian targeting," according to a post on X on Wednesday. QatarEnergy confirmed that Ras Laffan had been struck by missiles, causing "significant damage". The company added that emergency teams were immediately deployed to control the fires and that all personnel were safe, with no casualties reported. "QatarEnergy confirms that Ras Laffan Industrial City this evening has been the subject of missile attacks. Emergency response teams were deployed immediately to contain the resulting fires, as extensive damage has been caused. All personnel have been accounted for and no casualties have been reported at this time," QatarEnergy wrote on X. https://x.com/qatarenergy/status/2034338511311012171 The Qatari Foreign Ministry warned that such attacks constitute "dangerous escalation, a flagrant violation of the State's sovereignty, and a direct threat to its national security and the stability of the region," CNN reported. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's Defence Ministry said it intercepted four ballistic missiles over Riyadh, with debris scattered across the city but no reported damage, according to preliminary assessments, as per CNN. The ministry also intercepted two drones, including one targeting a gas facility in the Eastern Province, destroying it without causing any damage, it said, according to CNN. Earlier, the IRGC issued a warning that Iran's adversaries should "await the powerful action" of its armed forces, after Tehran accused foreign powers of attacks on its own energy infrastructure, CNN reported. Iran has alleged that the United States and Israel were behind strikes on its oil and gas installations, including the South Pars Gas Field, the world's largest natural gas reserve, according to CNN. The IRGC also urged evacuations near certain energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, raising concerns about possible further strikes, CNN reported. The attacks mark a sharp escalation in regional tensions, putting critical energy infrastructure at risk and raising concerns over global energy supply and stability in the Persian Gulf, according to CNN. (ANI)
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