Iran war unleashes 'world energy shock' and 'King of the coast'
Fears of a global energy crisis after attacks on major gas sites in the Middle East dominates Friday's papers. "World energy shock hits UK" is the i Paper's headline as it reports that UK gas prices have surged 25% after the strike on the world's largest natural gas factory in Qatar. It adds that UK households could be facing bill rises "set to last for years", with inflation forecast to "move towards 5%".
The Guardian leads with Iran's warning that it would show "zero restraint" if its energy infrastructure were targeted again. It comes after Israel's strike on Iran's South Pars, part of the world's largest natural gas field, triggered retaliatory attacks on gas facilities in Qatar and other Gulf states.
Saudia Arabia is threatening to strike back at Iran after it targeted oil and gas sites across the Gulf, the Daily Telegraph says. The paper features a warning from the Saudi foreign minister who said patience with Tehran was running out and the country will "reserve the right to take military actions if deemed necessary". Elsewhere, a smiling King Charles III is pictured opening a new coastal path named in his honour that stretches around the entire coast of England.
Shifting to Israel, the Times reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied he "dragged" the US into the war with Iran, but suggested that a "ground component" would be needed to topple the regime.
The Daily Express echoes with "inflation to rise in Iran war shock". The paper says experts are warning the UK risks a "surge in inflation" as the Bank of England stands ready to ramp up interest rates. Governor Andrew Bailey is quoted as saying if the war continues to push oil and gas prices up "it will feed into higher household energy bills".
The Daily Mail follows with warnings from experts that families could face three interest rate rises this year amid the economic fallout from the Iran war.
"Hells bills" is the Sun's take, with the paper forecasting that UK energy costs could jump as high as £300 a year if the war in the Middle East rages on.
Global markets have also tumbled following the attacks on gas infrastructure in Qatar and Iran, the Financial Times reports. The paper says central banks are warning that inflation is likely to remain higher for longer amid fears of a "protracted energy shock".
The Independent fills its front page with a photo of flames and smoke rising near Iran's South Pars gasfield after an Israeli strike, along with an editorial message for US President Donald Trump: "Stop the madness now - end this war before its too late."
Metro shifts its focus to the late music legend Tina Turner, who could return to the stage as an avatar after the team behind Abba Voyage bought the rights to her image, name and songs. "Tina Returner" is the headline.
Findings from the Covid inquiry leads the Daily Mirror's front page, with chair Baroness Hallet praising the "superhuman effort" put forth by frontline workers during the pandemic. She also criticised the Tory government for underfunding the NHS and leaving them ill-prepared for the crisis.
Finally, the Daily Star spotlights a canine-led Agatha Christie-style murder mystery after a Labrador named Stanley dug up an ancient poison bottle from his owner's garden, in turn solving a 160-year-old thriller.
