Iran has reportedly hit a major oil refinery in Bahrain with a missile strike, triggering a large explosion and fire at the country’s largest petroleum refinery.
Footage circulating online shows a massive inferno bursting at Bahrain Petroleum Company’s major refinery in the industrial region of Ma’ameer following what officials described as a ballistic missile hit.
According to the international news outlet Metro UK, authorities acknowledged that an oil infrastructure complex had been targeted.
“One facility in Ma’ameer was targeted, and the relevant authorities are handling the incident,” the Bahrain Ministry of Interior said in a statement shared on social media.
Officials confirmed that emergency responders brought the blaze under control.
“The fire that broke out in one of the facilities in Ma’ameer, which was targeted by the Iranian aggression, has been brought under control. Limited material damage was reported, with no loss of life,” the ministry added.
The refinery is located in one of Bahrain’s important industrial zones, which also houses various facilities that manufacture petroleum products and industrial materials, including concrete and asphalt.
The incident is another escalation in attacks on oil infrastructure in the Gulf area, which analysts warn could have far-reaching consequences for global energy markets.
Military experts speculated that the strike could be linked to Bahrain’s tight strategic connection with the United States, which has strong security and defense ties with the Gulf nation.
Following the incident, benchmark oil prices skyrocketed. The US standard, West Texas Intermediate crude, increased more than 5% to $78.88 per barrel, its highest level since January of last year.
Brent crude, the worldwide standard, also rose 3.6 percent to $84.34 per barrel.
According to reports, the wave of attacks followed Iran’s promise that the US would “bitterly regret” the reported torpedoing of an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean.
