Israeli attack on Iranian gas field was threat from Trump to open Hormuz – report

By Lazar Berman

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18 March 2026, 8:38 pm

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Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in the Oval Office of the White House, on St. Patrick's Day, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Israel’s attack earlier today on Iran’s South Pars gas field — the largest in the world — was fully coordinated with the US, reports Channel 12, and was meant to be a message from US President Donald Trump that he is losing his patience with Iran over its threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the report, further strikes were threatened on Iranian energy facilities.

“Israel assisted operationally in order to send an American message,” a senior Israeli official tells Channel 12. “Either the Strait of Hormuz will be opened and the mines will be removed by the Iranians, or the entire [natural gas] facility will be destroyed, as will other energy facilities.”