In a major escalation in the Middle East conflict, Iran's huge Pars gas field was hit on Wednesday in the first ​reported strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure in the Gulf during the US-Israeli war, reported Reuters.

This has prompted Tehran to warn its neighbours that their energy installations would be targeted "in the coming hours".

Pars ‌is the Iranian sector of the world's largest natural gas deposit, which Iran shares with Qatar across the Gulf. 

Iran's Fars news agency reported that gas tanks and parts of a refinery had been hit, workers had been evacuated to a safe location and emergency crews were trying to put out a fire.

Meanwhile, oil prices shot up after the attack in a conflict that has already halted shipping from the world's most important energy-producing region and could now bring ‌lasting damage to its infrastructure. Benchmark Brent crude prices rose around 5% to above $108. Stock markets veered lower, Reuters said.

Attack threat to energy security: UAE

Reacting to the attacks, the United Arab Emirates has said targeting energy facilities linked to the South Pars field in Iran, an extension of Qatar’s North Field, represents a serious escalation.

The UAE stressed that attacks on energy infrastructure constitute a direct threat to global energy security, as well as to the security and stability of the region and its peoples. Such actions also carry severe environmental consequences and pose direct risks to civilians, maritime security, and vital civil and industrial facilities.

The UAE further emphasised the importance of avoiding the targeting of critical infrastructure under any circumstances, reaffirming the importance of adherence to international law and the preservation of regional security and stability.