Here's the Scoop Attacks on World’s Largest Gas Field Escalate War; Exclusive NBC News Investigation into Corey Lewandowski
Mar 19, 2026
Richard Engel, NBC’s chief foreign correspondent based in Tel Aviv, explains the escalation after attacks on the South Pars gas field and the wider regional risks. Julia Ainsley, senior homeland security correspondent, details an NBC News investigation into allegations involving Corey Lewandowski and DHS contracting. They discuss energy-market shocks, regional strike patterns, and the tangled contracting claims.
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South Pars Attack Turned Conflict Into Energy Crisis
- South Pars is the world's largest natural gas reservoir split between Iran and Qatar under the Persian Gulf.
- Israel struck the Iranian side and Iran retaliated by hitting Qatar's side plus refineries in Saudi Arabia and others, escalating energy risk.
Conflict Pivoted From Nuclear Claims To Oil Warfare
- The war shifted from a purportedly imminent nuclear threat to an oil-centric conflict after attacks on energy infrastructure.
- Iran's strikes on oil facilities and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz sent Brent crude sharply higher and spiked global concern.
U.S. Likely Coordinated Israel Strike Despite Denials
- Reporting indicates the U.S. was aware of and coordinated Israel's strike on South Pars despite public denials.
- A senior Arab official and Axios reporting supported that Washington approved the operation.