ALBAWABA- Iran intensified its retaliatory campaign across the Gulf on Sunday, striking energy and transport infrastructure in several countries, days after joint U.S.–Israeli airstrikes assassinated Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and more than 40 senior Iranian officials.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy said debris from two intercepted Iranian drones fell on the Ras Tanura oil refinery early Monday, causing limited damage and a small fire that was quickly contained.
The Ras Tanura facility, one of the world’s largest oil export terminals with capacity exceeding 500,000 barrels per day, temporarily shut down some units as a precaution. State energy giant Saudi Aramco confirmed the brief suspension, adding that domestic petroleum supplies were not affected.
Elsewhere in the Gulf, renewed Iranian strikes targeted key installations in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. In Doha, explosions were reported near the electricity grid and Hamad International Airport, injuring eight people and forcing flight suspensions as air defenses intercepted incoming missiles.
In the UAE, blasts struck Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port and the international airport area, igniting fires that damaged port berths and injured four staff members. Authorities temporarily closed parts of the airspace.
Kuwait reported strikes near Ali Al Salem Air Base and the U.S. Embassy compound, with smoke seen rising from affected areas. Officials did not immediately confirm casualties. Similar attacks were reported in Bahrain near the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters and in Oman near Duqm port.
Tehran said the assaults form part of “Operation True Promise 4,” its response to the February 28 strikes in Tehran. The escalation has disrupted regional air travel, prompted airport closures in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, and heightened concerns over the security of oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states condemned the attacks in a joint statement, calling them “heinous aggression” and affirming their right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan described the strikes as a “blatant violation” threatening regional stability, while Qatari and Saudi officials warned of consequences and pledged coordinated countermeasures.
