Iran has resumed gas production at three offshore South Pars platforms after March attacks, routing their output to nearby processing plants while repairs continue. Pars Oil and Gas Company said the platforms were not damaged. Al Jazeera described the restart as "symbolic and practical," but experts warn restoring full export capacity may be slow. The move follows Israeli strikes in March and April and ongoing US–Iran negotiations.
Iran Restarts Gas Output At Three South Pars Platforms After March Strikes
(Al Jazeera)
Iran has restarted gas production at three offshore platforms in the South Pars gasfield, Pars Oil and Gas Company head Touraj Dehqani told state media on Sunday. He said the platforms themselves were not damaged in the strikes and that their output is being rerouted to nearby processing plants while repairs continue at other, damaged facilities.
The Israeli military struck parts of South Pars in mid-March — part of the world’s largest natural gasfield — prompting retaliatory Iranian missile and drone attacks on energy infrastructure across the wider region. In early April, Israel also struck the South Pars Petrochemical complex in Asaluyeh, Iran’s largest petrochemical installation.
Strategic Significance
Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera correspondent Tohid Asadi described the resumption of production as "significant both symbolically and practically," stressing that South Pars is one of the country’s most important energy assets. While reopening these platforms is an important first step, analysts warn that restoring full export capacity will take time and depend on the scope of damage to processing facilities and regional security trends.
"Iran is trying to send a message that it is rebuilding the targeted facilities," Asadi said.
The report also noted that the administration of US President Donald Trump had maintained a blockade of Iranian ports as part of a pressure campaign to secure a deal to end the wider conflict. Negotiations between Washington and Tehran continue, but Iran’s chief negotiator said Tehran will not accept any agreement unless it secures the country’s full rights.
Located off the coast of Bushehr province, the South Pars gasfield spans roughly 9,700 sq km (3,745 sq miles) and is shared with Qatar (where it is known as the North Field). The Iranian portion supplies a large share of domestic gas used for electricity generation and has been central to Iran’s export potential.
Officials caution that the speed and scale of recovery will hinge on repair progress at damaged processing plants, decisions about diverting production, and whether regional tensions ease.
Help us improve.
