Trump: U.S. and Qatar "Not Involved" in South Pars Attack; Issues Red Line Over Doha

U.S. President Donald Trump denies U.S. or Qatari involvement in the attack on Iran's South Pars gas field, while warning Tehran of "massive" retaliation if Qatar is targeted again.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 6:18 AM EDT

Source: Reuters

The South Pars Flashpoint

The South Pars field is the world's largest natural gas deposit, shared between Iran and Qatar (where it is known as the North Field).

The Strike: Iran reported that Israeli forces struck its portion of the field on Wednesday, a major escalation in the war that began on February 28.

The Retaliation: Tehran responded by firing missiles at Saudi Arabia and hitting Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City, a critical global LNG hub.

The Diplomatic Fallout: Doha has condemned both Israel for the "irresponsible" strike on the shared field and Iran for the "flagrant breach" of international law, subsequently expelling senior Iranian diplomats.

The U.S. Position: Advance Knowledge vs. Involvement