Trump: "We Will Obliterate South Pars" + Drones Over Rubio's Base & 7,000 Targets Struck

Trump Draws the Red Line on Iran's Energy Infrastructure

President Trump posted on Truth Social that Israel struck a section of Iran's South Pars gas field "out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East." Trump said the U.S. had no prior knowledge of the strike, but warned Iran that if Qatar is attacked again, the U.S. will level the rest of it.

"If they do it again, we will totally obliterate the entirety of the remaining South Pars Gas Field, and ANYTHING else that we deem appropriate!"

— President Trump · Truth Social

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the future of Kharg Island, Iran's primary oil export terminal, as a potential U.S. asset remains uncertain, adding "we'll see." Reuters reported that Trump's options include deploying U.S. troops to Iran's shoreline to secure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. is considering temporarily allowing about 140 million Iranian barrels already at sea to be sold instead of blocked, aiming to inject supply into the market and bring down global oil prices during the war. Bessent confirmed the strategy: un-sanction the barrels and use Iran's own oil against them to keep prices down for 10 to 14 days of supply.

Bessent also said a "global coalition" could form to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz. "It would be VERY disappointing for those who benefit the most not to do something!"

Iran Hits Five Countries in 24 Hours

Iran struck Qatar's Ras Laffan LNG hub for a second straight day, causing "sizeable" fires and further extensive damage to the world's top LNG facility. In Saudi Arabia, ballistic missiles hit the Riyadh refinery (130,000 barrels/day), confirmed by the Wall Street Journal. A drone struck the SAMREF refinery in Yanbu, the kingdom's only oil export port outside the Gulf, and Yanbu halted oil loading operations.

"Today, two refineries in Riyadh were attacked. What's the purpose of that? The Iranians will have to understand that this has consequences."

— Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan

The UAE reported 7 ballistic missiles and 15 drones in the past 24 hours. Kuwait's Mina al-Ahmadi refinery caught fire after an Iranian drone strike. Bahrain intercepted two ballistic missiles and four drones. Kuwait arrested a second Hezbollah-linked terrorist cell in days, reportedly planning attacks inside the country. Iran is now threatening to impose a 10% toll on all ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz after the war.

The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh urged American citizens to consider leaving Saudi Arabia. Despite the attacks, the UAE reaffirmed its $1.4 trillion U.S. investment pledge.

Hegseth: "Today Will Be the Largest Strike Package Yet"

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth confirmed the U.S. has struck over 7,000 targets across Iran. He announced today's strikes will be the biggest yet: "death and destruction from above." Asked about a timeframe to end the operation, Hegseth said it's the president's call. "We wouldn't want to set a definitive timeframe on that."

General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, said Iranian forces "still retain some capability" and confirmed: "We will continue to hunt and kill them." U.S. forces are flying deeper into Iranian airspace. A-10 Warthogs are targeting fast-attack boats in the Strait of Hormuz. The Air Force destroyed an MI-17 helicopter at Sanandaj Airport.

Iranian sources confirmed General Afshin Nakhshbandi, a representative of the Iranian army within the Revolutionary Guards, was eliminated in an Israeli strike in Tehran. Iranians are reporting a massive decline in Basij checkpoints around the capital after the IDF systematically targeted IRGC suppression forces. A senior Israeli source told N12 the regime is in "total chaos" and Israel plans unprecedented strikes and eliminations in the coming days to demonstrate to the Iranian public that it's game over for the regime.

The IDF and Shin Bet eliminated Muhammad Abu Shehla, Hamas' military intelligence chief in Khan Yunis, who planned attacks on IDF forces and was involved in October 7. Division 36 and the Air Force killed 20+ Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon over the past day.

Unidentified Drones Spotted Over Base Where Rubio and Hegseth Live

U.S. officials detected unidentified drones above the Washington Army base where Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth live. Officials have not determined where the drones came from, sources told the Washington Post. Former NCTC Director Joe Kent, who resigned after publicly questioning the war, is now under FBI investigation for allegedly leaking classified information. The probe began before his departure, according to Semafor.

Iran fired 8 missile barrages at Israel since midnight. Iranian cluster munitions killed 4 Palestinian women in a salon in Beit Awwa and injured people in the Arab town of Jaljulia. A Hezbollah long-range missile landed in Gaza. Iran's judiciary executed 3 men arrested during the January protests, the first publicly known executions from those demonstrations. Trump drew the clearest red line yet on energy infrastructure, the Gulf is getting hammered from every direction, and the regime is fracturing from within while the U.S. and Israel escalate the pressure.