Key Points:
- Iranian drones struck Bahrain’s largest oil refinery in Sitra, sparking a massive fire and halting operations.
- Bahrain’s Bapco Energies declared force majeure due to severe disruption to its facilities.
- Two power generation units in Kuwait shut down following targeted strikes on water and power plants.
- Kuwait’s Shuwaikh Oil Sector Complex also caught fire after sustaining significant material damage from a drone strike.
- Emergency response teams are working around the clock to stabilise local electricity and water supplies.
Iran’s state-run news channel, Press TV, made a serious claim on Sunday, stating that the Iranian military launched a coordinated missile and drone attack on Bapco, Bahrain’s largest oil refinery plant, causing severe damage. According to the report, a massive fire erupted at the refinery immediately following the attack, bringing the plant’s operations to a complete halt.
The Bapco refinery in Sitra is of critical importance to Bahrain’s economy and energy supply. It recently underwent upgrade works that expanded its capacity to 405,000 barrels per day. Consequently, fears are mounting that this attack could severely impact regional oil production and exports. Following the strike, Bahrain’s state-owned Bapco Energies issued a force majeure, officially suspending its contractual obligations due to the extreme disruption caused by the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
While Press TV claimed that the objective of the Iranian attack was to disrupt oil supply and production within Bahrain, local authorities initially focused strictly on containment. Security forces and fire brigade teams were rapidly deployed to the scene, and efforts to bring the fire under control in the civilian-adjacent industrial area are currently underway.
Power and Water Grids Hit in Kuwait
The offensive also extended deeply into neighbouring Kuwait. A spokesperson for Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy stated that two power generation units at two separate power and water desalination plants were shut down following an Iranian drone attack. The Ministry also reported that there were no casualties resulting from this specific incident.
Simultaneously, Kuwaiti state media reported that an Iranian drone hit the Shuwaikh Oil Sector Complex, which houses the Oil Ministry and the headquarters of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation. The strike caused significant material damage and triggered a large blaze, though emergency services managed to bring the fire under control without any reported injuries.
Spokesperson Fatima Abbas Jawhar Hayat confirmed that technical and emergency response teams have immediately commenced operations, working in coordination with relevant authorities and in accordance with approved emergency protocols, to ensure the security and stability of electricity and water supplies. She added that all technical teams are working around the clock to ensure the continuous provision of these essential services.
A Wider Conflict Plunges the Gulf Into Crisis
Experts believe that these direct infrastructure attacks will further escalate regional tensions as the broader conflict stretches into its sixth week. Such incidents not only disrupt local energy and water supplies but can also introduce severe volatility into the international oil market.
These strikes occurred amid escalating hostilities following a 48-hour ultimatum issued by United States President Donald Trump to Iran. As a result of these retaliatory Iranian attacks, the Gulf nations are currently facing an unprecedented security and economic crisis.
