Iran launched a sweeping wave of missile and drone strikes across Gulf territories overnight, hitting energy facilities and civilian areas in Bahrain and leaving at least 32 people injured after drones struck the Sitra industrial zone, authorities said.Bahrain’s interior ministry confirmed that unmanned aircraft targeted areas near the state-run Bahrain Petroleum Company refinery on the island of Sitra, triggering explosions and fires that sent thick plumes of smoke over the industrial complex. Emergency services rushed casualties to nearby hospitals as firefighters battled flames around the refinery and residential neighbourhoods.
Health officials reported that 32 civilians were injured in the strikes, including children and a two-month-old infant. Several victims were treated for shrapnel wounds and blast injuries, while four were said to be in serious condition. Authorities said homes and vehicles in nearby districts were damaged when debris from explosions scattered across the area.
The refinery complex on Sitra, operated by Bapco Energies, is one of the Gulf region’s oldest and most strategically important oil processing facilities. Operational since the 1930s, it plays a central role in Bahrain’s petroleum industry and regional fuel supply networks. Company officials declared force majeure on some deliveries following the attack, signalling that shipments could be disrupted because of circumstances beyond their control.
Government officials described the strike as part of a wider escalation of hostilities spreading across the Gulf. The overnight assault formed one of the largest waves of Iranian drone and missile launches targeting economic infrastructure since fighting intensified across the Middle East.
Explosions were reported around key industrial sites in Bahrain as air-defence systems attempted to intercept incoming projectiles. Authorities said several drones were shot down before reaching their targets, though at least some penetrated defensive layers and detonated near the refinery and adjacent areas.
Officials stated that the strikes caused “significant material damage” to buildings and infrastructure surrounding the refinery, though engineers were working to determine the extent of structural harm to the facility itself. Oil supply systems were reported to be functioning, but emergency assessments were under way to ensure operational safety.
The attack on Sitra adds to a growing list of strikes on energy infrastructure across the Gulf during the conflict between Iran and its regional adversaries. Over the past several days, drones and missiles have targeted oil facilities, ports, desalination plants and military installations in several countries around the Arabian Gulf.
Energy markets reacted sharply to the escalation. Traders raised concerns that attacks on refineries and export terminals could threaten crude flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime corridor that handles roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
Regional governments condemned the strikes, warning that the targeting of civilian infrastructure risked expanding the war and destabilising global energy markets. Security analysts noted that the choice of refinery facilities reflects a broader strategy aimed at exerting economic pressure by threatening petroleum production and shipping routes.
The Sitra refinery itself occupies a critical position within Bahrain’s industrial landscape. Beyond refining crude oil, the complex processes petroleum products for domestic consumption and export, linking Bahrain’s energy sector with regional markets in Asia and Europe. Damage to the facility therefore carries implications not only for the island state but also for wider Gulf supply chains.
Military observers said the use of drone swarms has become a defining feature of the conflict. Compared with ballistic missiles, drones are cheaper to produce and can be launched in large numbers to overwhelm air-defence systems. Their low flight altitude and ability to manoeuvre also make them harder to detect until the final stages of an attack.
Bahrain has already experienced multiple strikes since the broader confrontation escalated at the end of February. Missiles and drones have previously targeted the country’s ports, desalination facilities and areas linked to the United States Fifth Fleet, which is headquartered in the kingdom and plays a central role in safeguarding shipping lanes across the Gulf.
Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and follow civil defence instructions as emergency teams continue damage assessments. Hospitals across the island activated contingency plans to treat casualties, while police cordoned off areas surrounding the refinery to prevent civilians from approaching hazardous zones.
Security measures have also been tightened at industrial installations, airports and ports as officials attempt to guard against additional strikes. Air-defence batteries remained on high alert amid warnings that further missile or drone launches could follow.