By Palestine Chronicle Staff  

An Iranian strike on Bahrain’s refinery triggered force majeure as global oil prices rose above $115 amid escalating war.

Key Takeaways

• Bahrain’s state energy company Bapco Energies declared force majeure after Iranian attacks affected energy facilities.
• A fire erupted in the Ma’ameer industrial area, home to Bahrain’s main oil refinery complex.
• The strike highlights how Gulf energy infrastructure is becoming a strategic target in the war.
• Oil prices have surged nearly 30%, climbing above $115 per barrel, according to market reports.
• The International Monetary Fund warned that rising energy prices could have serious global economic consequences.

Bahrain’s Main Oil Refinery

The US-Israeli aggression on Iran has expanded into the Gulf energy sector after a strike targeted Bahrain’s refinery complex.

According to the Anadolu news agency, Bahraini authorities confirmed that “a fire erupted after an Iranian attack on the Ma’ameer area.” The Ma’ameer industrial zone hosts the Bapco refinery, one of Bahrain’s most important energy facilities.

Emergency crews responded quickly to the blaze, and officials said the fire was brought under control. However, the attack had broader implications for the country’s energy sector.

Anadolu reported that Bapco Energies declared force majeure after Iranian strikes affected facilities in the country. Officials said the measure was necessary because of the disruption caused by the attack.

Force majeure allows companies to suspend contractual obligations due to extraordinary circumstances such as war or infrastructure damage.

❗️🇧🇭 Bahrain’s state energy company Bapco Energies has declared force majeure after Iranian strikes affected facilities in the country. pic.twitter.com/OcmuxbNHCx

— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) March 9, 2026

Strategic Targets

The refinery strike illustrates how the expanding conflict is increasingly targeting energy infrastructure. The Gulf region hosts some of the world’s most critical oil facilities and shipping routes.

Attacks on these installations can quickly reverberate across global markets.

At the same time, the conflict has also targeted energy assets inside Iran.

According to Anadolu, US officials have expressed concern over Israeli attacks on Iranian fuel depots. Citing American officials, the outlet reported that the US is “concerned over Israeli strikes on Iranian fuel depots”.

Analysts say such attacks risk escalating the conflict further while also destabilizing global energy markets.

‘Who Gave You Permission?’ — Is the Gulf Finally Questioning the US-Israeli War on Iran?

Oil Prices Jump 30%

The attacks on energy infrastructure have already begun to affect global oil markets.

According to the Lebanese news network Al Mayadeen, citing analysts, crude prices have surged sharply as the conflict spreads across the Gulf. Oil prices jumped by about 30%, climbing to more than $115 per barrel.

The International Monetary Fund has also warned about the broader consequences of rising energy prices. In a report, the IMF warned that continued increases in oil prices could have serious repercussions for the global economy.

(PC, Anadolu, Al Mayadeen)