US and Israel Strike Iranian Energy Infrastructure Across Nine Countries

The Federal government of the United States and the Cabinet of Israel conducted coordinated drone and bomb strikes targeting energy infrastructure in Iran and across nine other countries. Between March 21 and 22, 2026, the coalition hit between 39 and 47 sites, including oil refineries, gas fields, storage hubs, and key ports. The attacks included the Ras Laffan facility in Qatar, which suffered a loss of approximately 17 percent of its liquefied natural gas export capacity.

These strikes aimed to cripple the Iranian government's operational capacity and funding. The escalation caused Brent crude prices to briefly exceed 119 USD per barrel, leading some governments to release emergency oil reserves. While the focus has shifted toward the long-term difficulty of repairing production facilities to avoid global economic collapse, the conflict remains centered on the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, where 20 percent of globally traded oil passes.

Tehran has responded to the attacks, increasing the risk of uncontrollable regional escalation. While the United States seeks to maintain regional balance and protect maritime routes, and Israel views Iran as an existential threat, the Government of China and the Federal Government of Russia have provided indirect support to Iran to limit Western influence.