Iran claimed attacks against the two largest aluminum smelters in the Gulf, in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
In a conflict that shows no signs of de-escalation, Tehran is expanding its retaliatory strategy to the industrial infrastructure of Gulf countries.
The Revolutionary Guards now threaten to strike American universities in the Middle East, while increasing speculation suggests a possible American ground deployment in Iran.
Iran claimed Sunday that it had carried out attacks on two of the world’s largest aluminum smelters in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, sparking fears of major disruptions to the global economy after a month of war in the Middle East.
In a conflict that shows no signs of de-escalation, Iran and Israel continue to bombard each other, and several Gulf countries are once again reporting Iranian attacks. On Saturday, pro-Iranian Houthi rebels in Yemen opened a new front in the war by launching two attacks against Israel.
The Revolutionary Guards, Iran’s ideological army, claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks that damaged Aluminum Bahrain (Alba) and Emirates Global Aluminium (Ega) factories on Saturday.
Alba, one of the world’s largest smelters, had already announced a 19% reduction in production capacity on March 15 to cope with supply disruptions caused by Iran’s blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
It confirmed Sunday that two of its employees were injured in the Iranian attack and said they were assessing the extent of the damage to their plant.
Meanwhile, Ega announced that its Al Taweelah plant in Abu Dhabi, one of its two sites in the UAE, had suffered “significant damage” during an attack on Saturday that left six people injured.
Reports are circulating about the deployment of American troops on the ground in Iran. The Pentagon is reportedly preparing for several weeks of ground operations, not a large-scale invasion, but raids into Iranian territory by special forces and other soldiers.
American forces in the Middle East recently welcomed the arrival of the Tripoli, an amphibious assault ship leading a naval group with around 3,500 sailors and Marines.
Recent reports suggested that President Donald Trump is considering sending at least 10,000 troops to the Middle East.
As the global maritime traffic faces disruptions due to the Strait of Hormuz blockade, the entry of the Houthi rebels into the war could worsen the situation. The rebels had previously carried out attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea during the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Context: The article discusses Iran’s claimed attacks on aluminum smelters in Bahrain and the UAE, escalating tensions in the region with concerns of a possible American ground deployment in Iran.
Fact Check: Please note that the claims and reports mentioned in the article should be verified through official sources for accuracy and reliability.
