But analysts said the targeting of energy production facilities, not just storage depots and transport, is on a different scale.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned on Thursday the “reckless escalation”, warning that if Middle Eastern energy “production capacities themselves are destroyed, this war will have a much more lasting impact”.
He called for “direct talks between the Americans and Iranians on this matter”.
Theresa Fallon, director of the Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies, said the economic effect of the gas hub attacks “will likely be felt for years”.
Gulf nations had strongly criticised the attack on Iran’s South Pars gas field, which is part of the South Pars/North Dome megafield, the largest known gas reserve in the world that is shared with Qatar.
In a rare rebuke of the US and Israel, the United Arab Emirates said that targeting energy infrastructure poses a “direct threat to global energy security”.
They also hit out at Iran’s retaliation in a war that has spilled out across the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia said on Thursday it reserved the “right to take military actions” if necessary after repeated missile and drone attacks from Iran.
The defence ministry said a drone crashed into the Samref refinery in the industrial zone of the Red Sea port of Yanbu, adding that damage assessment was underway.
Qatar, meanwhile, ordered Iran’s military and security attaches, along with their staff to leave the country.
Strikes were also reported on Thursday on energy infrastructure in Kuwait, where two oil refineries were hit by drones.