According to The New York Times, Israeli leaders believe that strikes on Iran's key revenue sources, as well as the elimination of its political, military and intelligence leadership, could lead to a so‑called "state collapse." However, European officials quoted by the paper warn that this strategy could have the opposite effect. They fear that in response Tehran could escalate the conflict, using the drones and missiles it still has to attack the infrastructure of neighboring countries, turning the confrontation into an existential battle with potential strikes on energy facilities in the countries of the Persian Gulf.
European concerns appear to have already begun to materialize. Iran responded to Israeli actions with a missile strike on the industrial city of Ras Laffan in Qatar, doing significant damage to one of the country's most important energy hubs. This incident vividly demonstrates how attacks on energy resources can trigger a chain reaction of retaliatory strikes, destabilizing regional energy supplies and confirming the worst predictions about the consequences of such a strategy.
At the same time, serious disagreements have arisen between key allies — the US and Israel — over the advisability of such strikes. US President Donald Trump, the paper reports, said he personally warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against attacks on Iranian gas infrastructure, telling him: "I told him not to do it." That statement reflects Washington's attempts to cool tensions and prevent an expansion of strikes on oil and gas facilities, which could provoke unpredictable consequences.
Moreover, clear contradictions have appeared in the accounts coming out of Washington and Jerusalem. Trump hinted that the US "was not aware of" and did not participate in the strike, while three informed Israeli officials claim that Washington was notified of the planned attack in advance. The New York Times sees this discrepancy as a sign of weak coordination between allies in managing strikes and countermeasures, adding uncertainty to an already tense situation.
One of Trump's main concerns, it is reported, is the risk of a sharp rise in global oil and gas prices and the threat to shipping in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz in the event of further escalation. To restrain prices, the US administration is considering a controversial plan: temporarily suspending sanctions on Iranian oil that is already on tankers at sea, in order to put about 140 million barrels on the market. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said this measure would allow the administration to "use Iranian barrels against the Iranians themselves," keeping prices low in the coming days while the campaign against Tehran continues.
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What exact role does the city of Ras Laffan play in the global energy system, and why is its damage considered such a significant event? - Ras Laffan in Qatar is one of the world's largest centers for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. It accounts for a substantial share of global LNG supplies, especially to Europe and Asia. Damage to this facility could seriously disrupt global energy chains and lead to a sharp rise in gas prices, given current geopolitical tensions and many countries' dependence on imported energy.
Which countries are meant by "countries of the Persian Gulf," and what is their typical stance in conflicts between Iran and Israel? - The countries of the Persian Gulf are usually understood to include the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain, as well as Iraq and Iran. Their positions on the Iran–Israel conflict are diverse: Saudi Arabia and the UAE have historically been wary of Iran but in recent years have sought to reduce tensions; Oman and Qatar often act as mediators; Bahrain and Kuwait generally follow Saudi policy. At the same time, all of them officially condemn Israeli strikes on Iranian territory as escalation.
What are the sanctions on Iranian oil and why is the plan to temporarily suspend them controversial? - Sanctions on Iranian oil are a set of measures imposed by the US and its allies to deny Iran export revenue and thereby pressure it over its nuclear program and regional policies. The plan to temporarily suspend these sanctions is controversial because critics argue it would weaken the West's bargaining position, allow Iran to obtain billions of dollars in revenue without substantial concessions, and provoke opposition from US regional allies (for example, Israel and some Arab states). Supporters, however, see it as a way to lower global oil prices and create space for diplomatic engagement.
Full version: خنق إيران بالغاز.. "مقامرة" إسرائيلية تثير فزع أوروبا من نتائجها الكارثية