A powerful explosion shook Qatar's capital, Doha, this evening (Sunday). The Gulf state later updated that it was a technical malfunction at the plant in the "Gas City" of Ras Laffan, and that there were no casualties. "This is an internal explosion, and no casualties or leaks have been reported," the Qatari Interior Ministry said. "Civil defense is handling the incident."
Previously hit by Iranians. Ras Laffan gas facility in Qatar (Photo: REUTERS/Stringer)
The explosion occurred amid heightened tensions, following Iran's claim that it left the negotiation table with the US in Switzerland. In the past, Iran had already attacked Ras Laffan with missiles.
Ras Laffan, where the explosion was reported this evening, had already been at the center of regional fighting during the campaign against Iran and is considered one of the most sensitive and important energy sites in the world. It is an industrial city and energy complex in northern Qatar, housing one of the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) production and export facilities in the world, a strategic asset for Qatar's economy and the international energy market. During the war, Qatar reported that the complex was attacked with missiles launched from Iran and sustained significant damage, after, according to the Qatari Ministry of Defense, one missile penetrated the defense system and hit the area, while other missiles were intercepted.
Following the attack, Qatar escalated its measures against Tehran, declaring the Iranian military attaché and security attaché at the Iranian embassy and their families persona non grata, and accusing Iran of violating its sovereignty and international law. In Tehran, however, they claimed that the target was energy infrastructure linked to the United States and that there was no intention to harm the Gulf states themselves. The attack marked a new stage in the regional conflict, during which targets were expanded to include civilian energy infrastructure.
