Iran launched attacks on energy and industrial sites across the Gulf, hitting facilities in the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait amid rising regional tensions
DUBAI: Critical infrastructure across the Gulf came under attack from Iran on Sunday. Damage was reported at civilian facilities in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait.
Gulf countries have faced repeated drone and missile salvos from Iran over recent weeks. These attacks are a response to US and Israeli strikes that began in late February.
Iran has targeted energy and other industrial infrastructure in the oil-rich region. It accuses its neighbours of allowing US forces to carry out attacks from their territory.
The Gulf states have vehemently denied these accusations. Authorities in Abu Dhabi said they were battling fires at a petrochemical plant in Ruwais Industrial City.
“Authorities are responding to multiple fires in Borouge petrochemicals plant, caused by falling debris following successful interceptions by air defence systems,” the emirate’s media office stated. Operations at the facility were immediately suspended while damage was assessed, with no injuries reported.
Iran’s army said it was targeting “aluminium industries” in the UAE and US military infrastructure in Kuwait. The Islamic republic has repeatedly threatened civilian infrastructure as US-Israeli attacks have also hit key economic targets in Iran.
A strike on a petrochemical hub in southwest Iran killed five people on Saturday. In Bahrain, the state energy company confirmed a drone attack sparked a fire at a storage tank.
“Bapco Energies confirms an incident occurred at one of its storage facilities earlier today resulting in a tank fire, as a result of a hostile Iranian drone attack,” the company said. The fire was fully extinguished, with no injuries reported and damages being assessed.
Kuwait’s electricity and water ministry said two power and water desalination plants were damaged. The attack caused significant material damage and the shutdown of two electricity generating units.
Tehran’s escalating threats have also extended to desalination plants. These facilities are critical for the water supply in the desert Gulf countries.