Bahrain’s national oil company, Bapco, has officially declared force majeure on its operations following a series of aggressive attacks by Iranian forces targeting critical energy infrastructure in the Gulf region. The announcement came on Monday, highlighting the severe impact of the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict on Bahrain’s vital oil facilities. Bapco’s statement emphasized that the recent assault on its refinery complex has disrupted its ability to maintain normal production and supply chains.
The latest wave of Iranian strikes included a direct hit on Bahrain’s expansive Al Ma’ameer oil refinery, one of the kingdom’s key energy assets. The attack caused a significant fire and structural damage, forcing emergency crews to intervene swiftly to contain the blaze. This incident is part of a broader pattern of escalating hostilities in the Gulf, where Iran has intensified missile and drone attacks against energy installations in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and other neighboring countries. These developments have sent shockwaves through the global oil markets, pushing crude prices to levels not seen since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in early 2022.
In response to the heightened security threats, other Gulf energy producers, including Qatar and Kuwait, have also declared force majeure on their operations, signaling widespread disruptions across the region’s oil and gas sector. The instability has rattled Asian stock exchanges, prompting investors to retreat amid fears of prolonged supply interruptions. The surge in oil prices reflects growing concerns over the vulnerability of Gulf energy infrastructure amid the ongoing geopolitical turmoil.
Compounding the tension, the United States has taken precautionary measures by ordering non-essential embassy personnel and their families to evacuate Saudi Arabia, citing escalating safety risks. This directive follows a series of drone attacks on US diplomatic missions in the Gulf, including recent strikes on the US embassy in Riyadh, as well as damage to facilities in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. The US State Department’s travel advisory underscores the deteriorating security environment in the region.
On the humanitarian front, Bahrain reported that a drone attack on the island of Sitra resulted in injuries to 32 Bahraini citizens, with four individuals in critical condition. Among the seriously wounded are vulnerable victims, including a 17-year-old girl suffering from severe head and eye trauma and a two-month-old infant. The health ministry’s statement, disseminated via the state news agency, highlighted the human cost of these escalating hostilities.
Meanwhile, the effects of the conflict were also felt in Qatar’s capital, Doha, where multiple explosions were heard, and the defense ministry confirmed the interception of a missile attack. Similar defensive actions were reported by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where air defense systems successfully neutralized incoming waves of drones and missiles targeting key oil installations, such as Saudi Arabia’s Shaybah oil field. These coordinated attacks reflect Iran’s ongoing campaign of retaliation following US and Israeli operations against the Islamic Republic.
As the situation continues to evolve rapidly, the Gulf region remains on high alert, with energy producers and governments bracing for further disruptions. The combination of military escalations and economic repercussions underscores the fragile security landscape in one of the world’s most strategically important energy corridors.
