The United Arab Emirates issued a rare condemnation Wednesday of an Israeli strike on Iran's South Pars natural gas field, the world's largest offshore gas reservoir shared with Qatar. The UAE Foreign Ministry described the attack as a "dangerous escalation" that poses a direct threat to global energy security, carries serious environmental repercussions and exposes civilians, maritime security and vital facilities to risks.

The ministry's statement affirmed: "Targeting energy facilities linked to the South Pars gas field in the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is an extension of the North Field in the sisterly State of Qatar, constitutes a dangerous escalation." It stressed the need to avoid targeting vital facilities under any circumstances and to adhere to international law, marking an unusual rebuke from the UAE since its normalization of ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords.

A senior Israeli official confirmed Israel carried out the strike on the South Pars field in Bushehr province, reportedly coordinated with and approved by the Trump administration. Iran blamed the United States and Israel, with state media reporting several phases of the field shut down following the attack. Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari separately called the strike a "dangerous and irresponsible step amid the current military escalation."

The incident escalates tensions on day 19 of the US-Israel war against Iran, which began February 28. Iran has targeted energy infrastructure in Gulf states including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE to drive up oil prices and pressure its adversaries. Earlier this week, Iran set ablaze a major UAE natural gas field. In response to the South Pars strike, Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned of imminent counterstrikes on specific sites such as Saudi Arabia's Samref Refinery and Jubail Petrochemical Complex, the UAE's Al Hosn Gas Field and Qatar's Mesaieed and Ras Laffan facilities, urging evacuations.

Israel has intensified its campaign against Iranian leadership, confirming the killing of Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib and senior official Ali Larijani in recent strikes. Iran has retaliated with missile barrages on Israel and Gulf targets while mining the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of global oil passes, severely disrupting shipping.

The strikes have jolted energy markets, with Brent crude surging toward $110 a barrel, up nearly 50% since the war started. US gasoline prices have risen nearly 30% in a month to $3.84 per gallon. President Trump has eased sanctions on Venezuela to boost supplies and expressed frustration over limited allied support to reopen the strait.

A senior UAE presidential adviser, Anwar Gargash, stated that Iran's attacks on Arab states have driven Gulf countries closer to the US and Israel, signaling readiness to assist in securing the Strait of Hormuz. Casualties in the conflict exceed 1,300 in Iran, 14 in Israel and 13 US military personnel.