Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Sunday claimed responsibility for attacks targeting petrochemical and energy facilities in the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain, signalling a widening of the ongoing conflict between the US, Israel and Iran. The group warned that strikes on US economic interests in the region would intensify if attacks on civilian targets inside Iran continued.
KUWAIT HIT BY DRONE STRIKES, ENERGY FACILITIES DAMAGED
Iranian drone attacks struck multiple targets in Kuwait, with state energy firm Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) reporting fires and “severe material damage” at several operating units. The company said emergency teams were working to contain fires at its affiliates, including the Petrochemical Industries Company and National Petroleum Company.
In a separate incident, a drone attack triggered a fire at the Shuwaikh oil sector complex, which houses the oil ministry and KPC headquarters. Kuwaiti state media also reported that a government ministries’ office complex was hit, causing significant damage but no casualties.
Two power generation units were taken out of service after drones targeted power and water desalination plants, disrupting critical infrastructure. Authorities said no injuries were reported.
STRIKES WIDEN ACROSS GULF STATES
The attacks extended beyond Kuwait, with the UAE reporting fires at petrochemical facilities in Abu Dhabi after debris from intercepted drones fell on industrial sites, halting production. Iran also launched drone strikes on petrochemical plants in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, underlining its ability to hit US allies in the Gulf.
The escalation comes as US President Donald Trump hardened his stance on Tehran. On Saturday, he renewed a threat to intensify attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure, giving it 48 hours to reopen shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz – a vital conduit for around a fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas supply that has been largely shut. In an expletive-laden social media post on Sunday, Trump warned Iran to open the Strait “or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH!”
ISRAEL SIGNALS FURTHER ESCALATION
Adding to tensions, a senior Israeli defence official said Israel, which struck a major petrochemicals facility on Saturday, was preparing further attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure within the next week and was awaiting approval from Washington.
Despite weeks of US and Israeli strikes causing heavy damage to its military and civilian infrastructure, Iran has shown no indication of backing down, leveraging its control over the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic pressure point.
CONFLICT ENTERS SIXTH WEEK
The conflict has now entered its sixth week, with Iran continuing missile and drone attacks on Israel while expanding its operational reach to Gulf states hosting US military installations.
Tehran has framed the latest strikes as retaliation and reiterated that more attacks would follow if civilian targets within Iran are hit, raising fears of a broader regional escalation with further implications for global energy supplies.
With agency inputs
