United States President Donald Trump told Israel not to repeat its attacks on Iranian natural gas infrastructure as тιт-for-tat strikes on energy plants sent prices spiraling, sharply escalating the US-Israeli war on Iran.
This came as leaders from the European Union’s 27 countries called for de-escalation in Iran and the wider region on Thursday, as well as a moratorium on striking critical infrastructure, amid growing concerns about the impact of the Iran war on the global economy.

Leaders discussed the situation in the Middle East and its broader implications during a regular summit in Brussels. call
“The European Council calls for de-escalation and maximum restraint, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and full respect of international law by all parties,” the leaders said in written conclusions following their talks.

“In this regard, it calls for a moratorium on strikes against energy and water facilities,” they added.
The conflict has killed thousands of people, spread to neighboring nations, and hit the global economy since the US and Israel launched strikes on February 28, after talks about Tehran’s nuclear program failed to yield a deal. Trump’s comment came as energy prices jumped on Thursday, March 19, after Iran responded to an Israeli attack on a major gas field by hitting Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City, which processes around a fifth of the world’s liquefied natural gas, causing damage that will take years to repair.

Saudi Arabia’s main port on the Red Sea, where it has been able to divert some exports to avoid Iran’s closure of the Gulf’s exit point, the Strait of Hormuz, was also attacked.
The strikes underscored Iran’s continued ability to exact a heavy price for the US-Israeli campaign, and the limits of air defenses in protecting the Gulf’s most valuable and strategic energy ᴀssets.