Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Iran is “being decimated” and expressed uncertainty about who is currently in control of the country. His comments come amid ongoing attacks on Gulf oil and gas infrastructure that have rattled energy markets worldwide.
Nearly three weeks into the Middle East conflict involving Israel and the United States, Netanyahu claimed that Iran no longer possesses the capacity to enrich uranium or manufacture ballistic missiles.
“We are winning, and Iran is being decimated,” Netanyahu told reporters at a press conference, emphasizing the apparent cracks within Iran’s leadership.
Meanwhile, the European Union, following a summit of EU leaders in Brussels, called for a pause in attacks on energy and water facilities, urging all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure while respecting international law.
Netanyahu praised his collaboration with US President Donald Trump and suggested that the conflict could conclude sooner than expected, though he did not provide a precise timeline.
“I am not sure who’s running Iran right now,” Netanyahu said, referencing Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike at the beginning of the war. “We’re seeing cracks, not only in the top command but also in the field.”
While Israel and the United States expressed confidence in their military campaign, the global energy sector has felt the consequences. Iranian attacks targeted the world’s largest liquefied natural gas plant in Qatar and key refineries in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, sending oil prices soaring.
The Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint, remains under significant tension. Benchmark Brent oil briefly surged six percent to US$119 a barrel before settling near US$110, while European gas prices spiked nearly 30 percent after Iranian missiles struck Qatar’s Ras Laffan natural gas complex. Damage estimates from QatarEnergy suggest losses could reach US$20 billion annually and take up to five years to repair.
Iran also targeted other locations, including the Samref refinery in Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port and the Mina Abdullah and Mina Al-Ahmadi refineries in Kuwait, which together process 800,000 barrels of oil per day. In Israel, the port of Haifa’s oil refinery was hit, sending plumes of black smoke into the sky.
President Trump noted that he was not informed beforehand about Israel’s strike on South Pars, a gas field supplying about 70 percent of Iran’s domestic needs, but stressed that he had told Netanyahu to avoid hitting Iranian gas facilities again. Netanyahu maintained that Israel had “acted alone” and rejected claims that he had dragged the US into the conflict, calling Trump a decisive partner rather than a follower.
Iran, however, has responded defiantly. The Khatam Al-Anbiya operational command vowed to destroy Gulf energy infrastructure if further Israeli strikes occur, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned of “ZERO restraint” if Iran’s facilities are attacked again.
The conflict has prompted global concern over economic fallout. Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the Netherlands pledged support for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for dialogue and cautioned against reckless escalation. India and China also expressed anxiety about their oil supply lines through the region.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed there is no set end date for the war but insisted operations are progressing as planned, with the ultimate decision to end the conflict resting with President Trump. The administration is reportedly seeking an additional US$200 billion in war funding from Congress, emphasizing the financial demands of prolonged military engagement.
In the midst of geopolitical tension and energy market turmoil, the human and economic stakes remain high. Civilians, businesses, and nations alike watch closely, hoping for a resolution that prioritizes safety, stability, and peace.
