Iran carried out a fresh wave of attacks on energy infrastructure across the Gulf on Sunday, striking key facilities in Kuwait, the UAE, and Bahrain, as tensions sharply escalated ahead of a 48-hour ultimatum issued by Donald Trump demanding that Tehran reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The strikes were claimed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which said it had deliberately targeted petrochemical and energy installations in response to continued attacks on Iranian territory. The group warned that assaults on US-linked economic interests in the region would intensify if pressure on Iran persisted.
The escalation follows Trump’s renewed warning that the United States could significantly increase attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure if shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most critical oil transit corridors—are not restored. In a strongly worded message, he cautioned Tehran to comply within 48 hours or face severe consequences.
In Kuwait, multiple drone strikes hit energy facilities, causing fires and heavy structural damage. State-run Kuwait Petroleum Corporation reported that several operational units were affected, including key petrochemical and refining entities. Emergency teams were deployed to contain the fires, while a separate strike triggered a blaze in the Shuwaikh oil sector complex, which houses major administrative and operational offices. Additionally, drone attacks disrupted power and water desalination units, temporarily affecting essential services, though no casualties were reported.
The impact extended to other Gulf states as well. In the UAE, authorities confirmed fires at petrochemical sites in Abu Dhabi after debris from intercepted drones fell on industrial infrastructure, forcing a halt in operations. Bahrain also reported strikes on energy-related installations, indicating a coordinated and region-wide expansion of Iranian targeting.
These developments signal a shift in Iran’s strategy, focusing on economic and energy assets in countries hosting US-linked infrastructure, thereby increasing pressure not only on military fronts but also on global energy supply chains.
Meanwhile, Israel has indicated that further escalation is likely. A senior defence official stated that additional strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure are being planned, pending approval from Washington, following earlier attacks on major facilities.
Now in its sixth week, the conflict has entered a more volatile phase. Iran continues to launch missiles and drones while leveraging its strategic position around the Strait of Hormuz to disrupt global trade routes. With both sides showing no signs of de-escalation, the situation is evolving into a broader regional confrontation with significant implications for international energy markets and geopolitical stability.
