US war funding request faces backlash as Iran strikes rattle energy markets

DOHA: A request by the United States military for an additional $200 billion to fund the ongoing war with Iran faced strong resistance in Congress on Thursday, as lawmakers questioned the need for fresh spending despite last year’s large defence budget allocations.

According to reports, both Democrats and some Republicans voiced concerns over the proposed funding, reflecting growing unease in Washington over the expanding scope and cost of the conflict.

The debate comes amid intensifying regional tensions, with Iranian attacks targeting key energy infrastructure, including the world’s largest LNG facility in Qatar and refineries in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, sending shock waves through global markets.

US President Donald Trump said there was no set deadline for ending the war, while warning of a strong American response if Iran did not halt its strikes on Qatar. Tehran, in turn, warned it would show “zero restraint” if its own energy infrastructure was attacked again.

Amid the escalating conflict, a US F-35 fighter jet reportedly made an emergency landing at a regional base after being struck by suspected Iranian fire, according to media reports.

Oil markets have been severely impacted, particularly after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy supplies. Brent crude prices surged to $119 per barrel before easing to $112, while European gas prices jumped by 35%.

Iranian missile strikes hit Qatar’s Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas complex, causing what authorities described as “extensive damage”. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said the attack demonstrated Iran had gone beyond its earlier stance of targeting only US interests in the Gulf.

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The conflict has also spread across the region. In Saudi Arabia, a drone struck the Samref refinery in Yanbu, while in Kuwait, drone attacks triggered fires at the Mina Abdullah and Mina Al-Ahmadi refineries. Reports also indicated that an oil refinery in Haifa, Israel, was hit following missile launches attributed to Iran.

President Trump said he had urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to target additional Iranian gas fields, including the crucial South Pars field, which supplies a significant portion of Iran’s domestic energy needs.

While warning Tehran against further escalation, Trump said there were currently no plans to deploy US ground troops in Iran, signalling caution even as the conflict continues to intensify across the region.