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Iran used sophisticated, manoeuvrable missiles capable of evading U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems in its attacks on QatarEnergy's Ras Laffan Industrial City, according to an official briefed on the attack cited by the Financial Times.
The attacks on QatarEnergy's Ras Laffan complex involved sophisticated missiles that were manoeuvrable and able to evade U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems, according to an official briefed on the attack, the Financial Times reported.
Four missiles targeting Ras Laffan were intercepted, but a fifth struck the facility, authorities said, causing fires and extensive damage.
The Ras Laffan Industrial City, located approximately 80 kilometers northeast of Doha, covers 295 square kilometers, about one-third the size of New York City, and was built 30 years ago.
It accounts for roughly a fifth of the global supply of liquefied natural gas and is home to the world's largest LNG export facility, as well as a gas-to-liquids plant, LNG storage, condensate splitters, and an oil refinery.
Qatar is the world's third-largest LNG exporter and a major supplier to both Europe and Asia.
QatarEnergy said several of its LNG facilities were struck, causing "sizable fires and extensive further damage." The attack also caused extensive damage to Shell's gas-to-liquids plant at Ras Laffan.
Qatar's Foreign Ministry condemned the attack on March 18 as "a dangerous escalation, a flagrant violation of its sovereignty, and a direct threat to its national security and regional stability," and declared the Iranian embassy's military and security attaches persona non grata, along with their staff, demanding they leave within 24 hours.
"Qatar considers this assault a dangerous escalation, a flagrant violation of its sovereignty, and a direct threat to its national security," the ministry said.
"The Iranian side continues its escalatory policies that are pushing the region toward the brink and drawing countries not party to this crisis into the conflict zone." Qatar said it reserves the right to respond in accordance with the right of self-defense under international law.
QatarEnergy said all personnel had been accounted for and no casualties were reported.
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