On the third day of the war, Iran deliberately targeted energy facilities and critical infrastructure in several Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.
Saudi Arabia: Seven Drones Intercepted
Saudi air defenses intercepted two drones on Monday that attempted to strike the Ras Tanura refinery in the Kingdom’s Eastern Province. Five additional drones were intercepted and destroyed near Prince Sultan Air Base.
The spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki, confirmed that the attempted attack on Ras Tanura was successfully thwarted. No civilian casualties were reported. However, falling debris sparked a small fire inside the refinery compound, which was quickly contained.
A senior official at the Ministry of Energy said the refinery sustained limited damage at 7:04 a.m. Monday after debris from two intercepted drones fell within the facility’s perimeter. The incident resulted in a minor fire that emergency crews immediately brought under control. Some operating units were temporarily shut down as a precaution.
The official stressed that petroleum supplies and refined products to domestic markets were not affected.
Qatar: Two Energy Sites Targeted
In Doha, the Qatari Ministry of Defense said the country was targeted by two drones launched from Iran. One struck a water tank at an energy facility in Mesaieed, while the other targeted an installation in Ras Laffan Industrial City operated by QatarEnergy. No casualties were reported.
Majed Al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told CNN that Qatar had intercepted Iranian attacks aimed at civilian infrastructure, including the international airport. He warned that such attacks “cannot pass without a response.”
Separately, QatarEnergy announced the suspension of liquefied natural gas production and related products due to the Iranian attacks.
Oman: Oil Tanker Attacked
Oman announced that an oil tanker was attacked by an unmanned boat 52 nautical miles off the coast of Muscat while transiting Omani territorial waters.
Authorities said one crew member was killed in the incident, while the remaining 21 crew members were safely evacuated. A vessel from the Royal Navy of Oman is monitoring the tanker’s condition, and navigational warnings have been issued to ships operating in the same maritime area.
In a related development, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that a vessel at Salman Port in Bahrain was struck by two projectiles on Monday.
United Arab Emirates: Debris Falls in Abu Dhabi
The Abu Dhabi Media Office said authorities responded to several reports of falling debris at a warehouse in the ICAD industrial area and at a commercial facility following the successful interception of drones by air defenses.
The incidents resulted in minor material damage and no injuries. Officials urged the public to rely on official sources for information and to avoid spreading rumors or unverified reports.
Kuwait: Limited Fire at Power Station
Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity and Water announced that a small fire broke out at the Doha West Power Station during efforts to intercept a drone. The fire was contained and no injuries were reported.
Ministry spokesperson Fatima Jawhar said in a statement that the country’s electricity and water systems continue to operate normally, with full readiness to respond to any emergency.
US Fighter Jets Downed by Friendly Fire
Three US F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets flying over Kuwait were brought down by friendly fire, according to a statement from US Central Command.
US Central Command said that during an active aerial battle involving Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles and drones, Kuwaiti air defenses mistakenly shot down the US Air Force jets. All six crew members ejected safely, were recovered in stable condition and are reported to be unharmed.
An investigation into the incident is underway, and further details will be released as they become available.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense spokesperson, Col. Saud Al-Atwan, confirmed that several US warplanes crashed Monday morning and that all crew members survived. He added that Kuwaiti forces intercepted an unspecified number of drones targeting the country.
