Drones struck key oil facilities in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait on Thursday, marking a significant escalation in attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure attributed to Iran.
Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry reported that a drone impacted the Samref refinery in Yanbu, a Red Sea port city. The incident triggered fires, and a damage assessment is currently underway. The Yanbu refinery, with a capacity of approximately 400,000 barrels per day, is a critical component of the Petroline pipeline system. This overland route provides Saudi Arabia with a vital alternative export pathway that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint where Iranian naval forces have previously disrupted shipping.
Simultaneously, Kuwait National Petroleum Company confirmed that drone attacks caused blazes at the Mina Abdullah and Mina Al-Ahmadi refineries. The two plants together process about 800,000 barrels of crude daily. The state oil company stated that all fires have since been contained.
These strikes follow an attack on Wednesday that caused major damage at Qatar’s Ras Laffan, the world’s largest liquefied natural gas export hub. The pattern of assaults appears to be Iranian retaliation for an Israeli strike on its South Pars gas field, further straining regional security.
The repeated targeting of energy infrastructure has directly influenced global oil markets. During the nearly three-week period of heightened conflict, benchmark Brent crude prices have surged, exceeding $115 per barrel on Thursday. The attacks underscore the vulnerability of a region central to global energy supply, where disruptions can rapidly translate into higher international fuel costs.
The incidents highlight the persistent risk of maritime and aerial attacks in the Gulf, with refineries and pipelines becoming explicit targets in the broader geopolitical rivalry. While immediate firefighting responses have been reported, the long-term operational impact on the affected facilities and the potential for further escalation remain key concerns for energy markets and regional stability.
