Kuwait Energy Infrastructure Hit During Intense Iran Attacks

Article content

(Bloomberg) — Kuwait suffered one of its worst nights of Iranian retaliatory attacks since the Middle East conflict began, with strikes on a vital oil facility and a second power plant hit in as many days.

Article content

The latest barrage, a wave of three attacks which triggered multiple rounds of sirens from around dawn on Saturday, struck a vital oil facility, injuring several people and causing significant damage. No other details were immediately available. However, smoke could be seen rising in the vicinity of two of the refineries, in Al-Ahmadi governorate. 

Article content

Article content

Article content

The recent attacks, which followed several days of strikes on the Gulf state, also targeted another power station and desalination plant, sparking a fire and disconnection of power units as a precaution. In addition, flights in the country were also suspended. 

Article content

Article content

The attack on the Al-Subbiya facility, one of the biggest in the country, followed Thursday’s hit on Zour South power and desalination station, damaging a transformer, according to a person familiar with the matter, who asked not to be named discussing such matters.

Article content

Saturday’s targets also included a Kuwait Army barracks, injuring a number of personnel, the army said.

Article content

Residents, who’ve been asked to ration electricity use, reported numerous explosions that shook houses and rattled windows, predominantly due to defense forces intercepting incoming projectiles.

Article content

“The current moment requires a changing posture that brings immediate security gains for the country,” said Bader Al-Saif, assistant professor at Kuwait University and associate fellow at Chatham House. “Direct talks with Iran are overdue.”

Article content

Article content

US forces ended the seventh consecutive night of strikes against Iran on July 17 at 9:30 pm Eastern Time, US Central Command said in a post on X. The US hit surveillance sites, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage and maritime capabilities, according to the post.

Article content

State-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corp. has seen its headquarters bombed during the war on Iran which erupted in late February – forcing employees to work out of other industry buildings south of the capital – as well as hits on its oil refineries. The company had carried out enough repairs to damaged energy infrastructure enabling it to quickly increase output earlier than previously thought.

Article content

Oil-rich Kuwait has been consistently attacked by Iran and its proxies in Iraq since the US and Iran agreed to a truce on April 8, experiencing more casualties than any other Gulf Arab country in that period. But the strikes have gained intensity since Tuesday night. 

Article content

Bahrain, which like Kuwait has borne the brunt of Iran’s retaliation since hostilities worsened again, said it intercepted several aerial attacks from Iran on Saturday. Jordan’s army said Saturday it shot down 10 Iranian missiles without any casualties or damage, AFP reported.