Bahrain's state-owned Bapco Energies has declared a force majeure on its operations after its 405,000 b/d Sitra refinery was hit in an attack linked to the ongoing US-Iran war, the company said on Monday.
The move follows Iranian drone strikes in the early hours of Monday in the Sitra area, where the refinery is located. Authorities said the attacks hit civilian residential areas near the energy complex, damaging several homes and leaving dozens of civilians injured. The incident marks the second confirmed attack affecting the Sitra refinery complex since the war between Iran, Israel and the US began on 28 February. The refinery recently underwent upgrade works that expanded its capacity to 405,000 b/d from 267,000 b/d, a development that significantly lifted Bahrain's overall refining output in 2025.
Bapco said domestic fuel supplies remain secure, adding that "contingency plans are in place to ensure continued deliveries to the local market without disruption". Force majeure allows companies to suspend contractual obligations when events beyond their control disrupt operations. Neighbouring Kuwait has also taken similar steps, with state-owned KPC issuing a force majeure notice on its crude and refined product exports.
The war, now in its tenth day, has triggered a wave of attacks on energy infrastructure across the the Mideast Gulf. Saudi Arabia's 550,000 b/d Ras Tanura refinery was targeted twice last week, while several drones aimed at Saudi Aramco's 1mn b/d Shaybah oil field were intercepted early on Monday, authorities said.
Iranian strikes have also affected LNG facilities in Qatar and fuel storage tanks in the UAE and Oman. The attacks have raised concerns over potential disruptions to regional oil and gas supplies, pushing crude prices higher in recent sessions.
The war shows almost no signs of easing, with US president Donald Trump on 7 March vowing to hit Iran "very hard" again as Tehran continued retaliatory missile and drone attacks across the region.
