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Video geolocated by CNN shows the aftermath of Israeli strikes on Iran’s south Pars gas field on Wednesday. Social Media

An Israeli strike on Iranian facilities in the South Pars gas field marked a significant escalation in the war, prompting a furious Iran to attack major energy facilities of its Gulf neighbors, sending oil prices surging, and leading the US President to threaten to “blow up” South Pars if Iran didn’t stop.

But what is the South Pars gas field and why are the strikes so significant?

South Pars is part of the world’s largest natural gas reserve. Iran shares the gas field, which is located offshore in the Persian Gulf, with Qatar which calls its part the North Dome. The entire ​gas field contains an estimated 1,800 trillion cubic feet of usable gas — enough to ​supply the world’s needs for 13 years, Reuters news agency reported.

Why so important? Iran’s production of gas from South Pars is the biggest source of its domestic energy supply. Iran has previously suffered power shortages because of disruptions to gas supplies, so any impact would affect its ability to produce electricity and heat homes.

CNN’s Tal Shalev, Nadeen Ebrahim, Aleena Fayaz, Mohammed Tawfeeq, John Towfighi, and Hanna Ziady contributed reporting.

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