War Escalation: Iran targets refineries of Saudi Aramco and Kuwait, fire rains from the sky

News India Live, Digital Desk: Iran’s military command ‘Khatam al-Anbia’ had warned that if their energy infrastructure was harmed, they would destroy the oil and gas network of the entire region. By Thursday afternoon, Iran turned this threat into reality.1. Saudi Arabia: Attack on Aramco’s SAMREF refinery Target: A drone and missile attack took place on SAMREF, a joint venture refinery of Saudi Aramco and Exxon Mobil, in the city of Yanbu, located on the coast of the Red Sea. Impact: The Saudi Defense Ministry has confirmed that a drone fell on the refinery complex, causing a ‘limited fire’ there. Oil loading has been stopped at Yanbu port due to security reasons. Interception: Saudi Air Defense claimed to have shot down 6 drones approaching Riyadh and the Eastern Province, but the debris caused damage to infrastructure.2. Kuwait: Fire broke out in two big refineries. Iran has made a ‘double attack’ in Kuwait’s oil sector: Mina Al-Ahmadi: This is one of the largest refineries in the Middle East. A massive fire broke out following a drone attack here on Thursday morning, bringing production to a halt. Mina Abdullah: Hours later, Kuwait confirmed that an operational unit of its second major refinery, ‘Mina Abdullah’, has also been targeted, where efforts to control the fire are still underway.3. Qatar: Attack on Ras Laffan Industrial CityLNG crisis: According to Qatar’s Interior Ministry, missiles fell on Ras Laffan, the world’s largest Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) hub, twice within 12 hours. However, Qatar has claimed that the fire has been brought under control and there have been no casualties.4. Impact on global economy: Oil crosses $115. These attacks by Iran have created a stir in the stock markets and energy markets around the world: Crude Oil (Brent Crude): Oil prices have crossed the level of $115 per barrel. Experts say that if this conflict drags on, prices could go up to $150. Strait of Hormuz: Iran has threatened to impose ‘toll’ on ships passing through this strategic route or close the route completely, which threatens to break the global supply chain.5. International reactionDonald Trump (US): The US President has warned that if Iran continues to attack Qatar and Saudi energy sites, the US will “massively blow up” Iran’s energy fields. Emmanuel Macron (France): The French President has appealed for direct talks between the US and Iran, calling it a ‘reckless escalation’.