Kuwait says Iranian strikes hit power plant, oil facility

Kuwait said on Saturday that Iran struck a power and water plant along with an oil facility, accusing Tehran of targeting civilian infrastructure as the Middle East war escalates.

The attacks followed a seventh night of US strikes on Iranian targets, which prompted Iranian retaliation against US-allied Gulf states.

What did Iran hit in Kuwait?

Iran struck a power and water distillation plant along with an oil facility in Kuwait on Saturday.

The attack on the power plant sparked a fire and deactivated several generation units, while the oil facility strike caused injuries and significant damage. It marked the second attack on a Kuwaiti power and water plant in as many days.

How much damage did the Kuwait attacks cause?

Kuwait's ministry of electricity and water said another plant was targeted in a hostile attack that caused a fire in one of its components. Saturday's attacks sparked two blazes at separate locations, injuring several firemen and a worker, according to Kuwait's fire service. Kuwait's state oil firm reported injuries and significant material losses after the strike on the oil facility, and the site was evacuated, state news agency Kuna said.

Kuwait's foreign ministry said the repeated targeting of these facilities reveals a systematic approach aimed at civilian sites and vital infrastructure, endangering the lives and safety of civilians. The country's national carrier said air traffic at Kuwait International Airport had been temporarily suspended due to rocket and drone attacks, forcing most flights to be rescheduled.

How are Kuwaiti residents responding to the attacks?

One Kuwaiti resident told AFP there were fears that basic goods might become unavailable if the escalation continues.

"The demand for water and canned goods has increased since this morning amid fears that services or supply chains will be affected," said Hassan Rayan, 61, a Lebanese man living in Kuwait who works in media. His comments reflect growing concern among residents as strikes on infrastructure continue.

Why is Iran also attacking Bahrain?

Iran has stepped up attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain in recent days, as both countries host major US military installations. In Bahrain, the army said its air defenses repelled a wave of what it called treacherous Iranian aerial assaults on Saturday, and an AFP journalist in Manama reported hearing blasts after sirens sounded. The interior ministry said air-raid sirens had sounded five times since dawn, urging residents to take shelter.

The Iranian army said it had targeted an air base in Bahrain used by the United States, in retaliation for American strikes, according to Iran's state broadcaster. Drones targeted aircraft shelters and parking areas, fuel storage tanks at the US military's Sheikh Isa Air Base, and several connecting bridges in Bahrain, the Iranian army said.