A ballistic missile that evaded Qatar’s defences caused a huge explosion at a gas refinery as Iran launches ‘full scale economic war’ across the Middle East.
People filmed huge explosions erupting in Ras Laffan Industrial City – the world’s biggest natural gas plant – in Qatar.
On X, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack and said it marked a dangerous escalation.
The state-owned oil and gas company, QatarEnergy, said the fire had caused ‘extensive’ damage.
The Ministry of Defence said there were no UK casualties and no damage to UK assets at Al Minhad Air Base, which hosts a permanent RAF facility.
No close ally has come forward with immediate help. Britain is flat-out refusing to be drawn into the war. France says the fighting would have to die down first. Others are non-committal.
China, which is not an ally but was also asked to help, is ignoring Trump’s call.
‘This is not Europe’s war. We didn’t start the war. We were not consulted,’ European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Tuesday.
Still, Trump is feeling the harshest sting from the United Kingdom’s steadfast refusal to join.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer cultivated ties with Trump and reached an early trade deal with the administration, but is now among allies who refuse to join a regional war with no clear endgame.