Iranian attack sparks major fire near Bahrain International Airport — oil tanks ablaze on Muharraq Island

An Iranian attack early on Thursday March 12 caused a major fire in a neighborhood on Muharraq Island in Bahrain's capital, home to Bahrain International Airport. Bahrain's Interior Ministry confirmed the fire was affecting oil tanks in the area and described it as a blaze targeting petroleum storage infrastructure. The airport has jet fuel tanks, with additional oil industry storage nearby. Authorities put out an alert urging residents in surrounding neighborhoods 'to remain in their homes, close windows and ventilation openings, as a precautionary measure against possible exposure to smoke from the ongoing fire being combated.' Bahrain had moved some aircraft out of the airport area on Wednesday. This attack represents a continuation and geographic expansion of Iran's targeting of Gulf state infrastructure — following earlier attacks on UAE targets including Dubai Airport and Dubai Creek Harbour, as well as strikes on Qatar. The targeting of airport-adjacent oil infrastructure in Bahrain underscores Iran's strategy of striking US-allied Gulf states' energy and transport infrastructure.