Middle East Escalation: Iran-Linked Strikes, Gas Facilities Hit and Rising Tensions

Here are the latest developments from Wednesday as the conflict in the Middle East continued to escalate, with strikes on senior officials and energy infrastructure, cross-border attacks, and rising international concern.

Israel Says It Will Continue Targeted Strikes

The Israeli military announced it will persist in targeting senior Iranian figures after reporting the death of Iran's intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib. In a televised briefing a military spokesman said: "We will continue to hunt down all of the regime's senior officials. The series of eliminations will not stop."

Warnings Of "Uncontrollable Consequences"

Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, warned that attacks on energy infrastructure risk triggering "uncontrollable consequences". Writing on X, he said strikes on major facilities, including parts of the South Pars gas field, could worsen the situation and have wide-reaching effects.

Gas Facilities Damaged — Qatar's Ras Laffan And Iran's South Pars

Qatar's foreign ministry condemned strikes on the Ras Laffan gas complex as a "dangerous escalation" and a breach of sovereignty. State-run Qatar Energy said fires caused "extensive damage" but that the blazes were brought under control and no injuries were reported. The strikes followed earlier attacks on Iran's South Pars gas field, which Tehran blamed on Israel and the United States.

The United Arab Emirates denounced attacks on facilities in the shared gas field as a "dangerous escalation." Iran's military warned it could "severely strike" energy infrastructure across the Gulf in response.

Riyadh Targeted As Explosions Continue

AFP journalists reported loud explosions over Riyadh late Wednesday after Saudi authorities said they intercepted four ballistic missiles aimed at the capital. The defence ministry also reported destroying a drone that was heading toward a gas plant.

High-Level Killings And Promises Of Retaliation

Iranian state outlets and officials reacted strongly to the reported killing of high-ranking security figures. Mojtaba Khamenei was quoted as saying those responsible for the death of security chief Ali Larijani "will have to pay for it." Russia also publicly condemned Larijani's killing.

Debris Hits Ben Gurion Airport; Civilian Casualties

The Israeli military told AFP that "debris" struck Ben Gurion International Airport following missile exchanges from Iran, though it did not specify the timing. Earlier reports said missiles killed two people near Tel Aviv, bringing the reported death toll from recent missile strikes inside Israel to 14.

NATO Considers Strait Of Hormuz Measures

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said allies were discussing the "best way" to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic oil corridor affected by recent disruptions.

UN Says Nuclear Plant Reported Hit, No Damage

The UN nuclear watchdog reported that Iran notified it of a strike on the country's only operational nuclear power plant and said there was no damage. Russia, which helped build the plant and has personnel on site, said it had received reports of a missile strike on the plant's inner perimeter and condemned the attack.

Developments remain fluid. Officials from multiple countries and organisations are continuing to monitor the situation closely.