Growing regional tensions in the Gulf have left dozens injured and heightened security concerns across several energy-producing states, as Iran’s retaliatory drone and missile campaign continues in response to recent US and Israeli military operations.
Authorities in Bahrain said at least 32 people were wounded overnight after an Iranian drone struck the island of Sitra, marking one of the most serious civilian impacts of the escalating conflict. According to Bahrain’s health ministry, all those injured were Bahraini nationals and four of the victims are in critical condition. The ministry reported that the wounded include a 17-year-old girl who suffered severe head and eye injuries and a two-month-old infant.
The attack comes amid a broader wave of missile and drone strikes affecting multiple Gulf countries as Tehran expands its response following the large-scale air campaign launched against Iran on February 28 by the United States and Israel.
Explosions were also heard in the Qatari capital Doha on Monday, according to journalists in the city, as Qatar faced renewed aerial threats. The country’s defence ministry said its air defence systems successfully intercepted a missile aimed at the country, preventing damage.
Saudi Arabia reported similar developments. The kingdom’s defence ministry confirmed that two drones heading toward the Shaybah oil field in the country’s southeast were intercepted and destroyed. The Shaybah field is a strategically important energy facility, producing large volumes of crude oil for international markets.
Kuwait also activated its air defence systems after detecting incoming missiles and drones. The country’s defence ministry said efforts were underway to intercept the threats. Authorities said Kuwait had already faced multiple attacks the previous day, when seven missiles and five drones were launched toward the country.
The intensifying security situation has prompted precautionary measures from foreign governments. The United States announced that non-essential embassy staff and family members would be leaving Saudi Arabia due to safety concerns. A travel advisory issued by the US State Department cited increased security risks as the conflict expands.
In recent days, drones have reportedly struck the US embassy compound in Riyadh, while other American diplomatic facilities in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have also sustained damage from aerial attacks.
The widening conflict reflects the broader fallout from the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran that began in late February. Since then, Tehran has launched a series of retaliatory strikes across the Gulf, targeting locations it believes are connected to American or allied military operations.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that the country would respond against neighbouring states if their territory is used to launch attacks on Iran. His remarks have raised concerns that the conflict could escalate further if military installations in the region become direct targets.
Strait of Hormuz under scrutiny as energy markets react
Beyond the immediate security concerns, the escalation is drawing attention to one of the world’s most critical energy corridors — the Strait of Hormuz. The narrow waterway between Iran and Oman is responsible for the transport of roughly one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and a significant share of global liquefied natural gas shipments.
Energy analysts say that rising military tensions in the Gulf could pose risks to tanker routes carrying oil and LNG from major producers including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. Any disruption to shipping traffic through the strait could rapidly tighten global energy supply and trigger price volatility in international markets.
Several LNG export facilities in Qatar — one of the world’s largest LNG suppliers — rely on uninterrupted access through the Strait of Hormuz to deliver cargoes to Asia and Europe. If shipping lanes become restricted or unsafe, energy importers such as Bangladesh, India, Japan and European countries could face delays or higher fuel costs.
Shipping insurers and tanker operators are already closely monitoring the situation, and some analysts warn that prolonged instability could lead to higher transport premiums, rerouting of vessels or temporary storage of cargoes in nearby waters until safe passage is restored.
For global energy markets, the developments highlight how geopolitical tensions in the Gulf can quickly translate into supply chain uncertainty. Even short disruptions to tanker movements through the Strait of Hormuz have historically triggered sharp swings in oil and gas prices.
As the conflict continues, governments and energy companies worldwide are watching closely, aware that stability in this narrow waterway remains essential for maintaining global energy flows.
