Iranian Strikes Hit Kuwaiti Power Plants and Oil Facilities
The Kuwaiti government reported that Iranian strikes hit power and water plants as well as oil facilities on Saturday (18/7). Kuwait accused Tehran of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure amid escalating Middle East warfare.
The attack followed the seventh night of United States strikes on Iranian targets, which triggered retaliation from Tehran against US-allied nations in the Gulf region.
“Another power and water distillation plant was targeted by enemy strikes, causing a fire in one of the plant’s components,” the Kuwaiti Ministry of Electricity and Water said in a statement. As a result of the attack, several power plants were forced to shut down. The incident was the second strike on similar facilities in two days.
The Kuwait Fire Service Directorate added that Saturday’s strike sparked two fires at separate locations, injuring several firefighters and a worker.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the action. “The repeated targeting of these vital facilities demonstrates a systematic hostile approach against civilian sites and critical infrastructure, endangering the lives and safety of civilians,” the ministry asserted.
Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti state oil company reported casualties and significant material losses following a strike on its oil facilities. According to state news agency Kuna, the site was fully evacuated.
The escalation has sparked fears among residents of shortages of essential goods. Hassan Rayan, 61, a Lebanese national living in Kuwait, said demand for water and canned goods had surged sharply due to concerns over supply chain disruptions.
Beyond energy infrastructure, the transport sector was also affected. The national carrier stated that air traffic at Kuwait International Airport was temporarily halted due to rocket and drone attacks, forcing the rescheduling of most flights.
In addition to Kuwait, Iran intensified strikes on Bahrain. Both countries host major US military installations. In Bahrain, the military claimed its air defences successfully repelled waves of Iranian air strikes on Saturday. The Bahraini Interior Ministry reported that air raid sirens sounded five times since dawn, urging residents to seek shelter immediately. Iran’s state broadcaster said the army targeted the Sheikh Isa Air Base, used by the US, in retaliation for American strikes.