Kuwait Refinery Ablaze as Iran Escalates Drone Strikes in Gulf

Firefighters battled a major blaze at a key oil facility in Kuwait on Friday following a fresh wave of drone attacks attributed to Iran, raising fears of wider instability across the Gulf.

 

Kuwaiti authorities confirmed a fire at the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery, coming a day after a reported strike on Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial city, a critical hub for global liquefied natural gas supplies.

 

The escalation follows an earlier strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field, one of the world’s largest gas reserves, which Tehran blamed on Israel. In response, Iranian officials vowed retaliation, sustaining a series of attacks targeting regional infrastructure.

 

The intensifying conflict has already driven up global oil and gas prices, amid concerns about potential disruptions to supply chains, particularly through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested that the conflict could be nearing an end, stating that Iran’s military capabilities had been significantly weakened, though he provided no timeline.

 

However, Iranian authorities dismissed such claims. A spokesman for Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Ali Mohammad Naini, said the country’s missile production remained unaffected despite ongoing strikes.

 

In a dramatic development, Iranian state media later reported that Naini was killed in joint US-Israeli strikes shortly after his remarks were published.

 

Meanwhile, Iran reportedly launched multiple missile waves toward Israel, with explosions heard over Jerusalem, though no casualties were immediately confirmed.

 

Other Gulf nations also reported attacks. The United Arab Emirates confirmed missile incidents, while Saudi Arabia said it intercepted more than a dozen drones early Friday.

 

The renewed hostilities come as countries across the region mark Eid al-Fitr, heightening concerns over security and stability during the festive period