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European Energy Markets
18JUN

Iran names eight Gulf bridge targets

2 min read
09:57UTC

The IRGC-aligned Fars News published a retaliation target list. The King Fahd Causeway, Saudi Arabia's sole land link to Bahrain, topped it.

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EconomicDeveloping
Key takeaway

Striking the King Fahd Causeway would mean war with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain simultaneously.

Fars News, closely aligned with the IRGC, published a list of eight Gulf bridges as potential tit-for-tat targets following the B1 strike: Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Bridge (Kuwait), King Fahd Causeway (Saudi Arabia to Bahrain), Sheikh Zayed Bridge and Sheikh Khalifa Bridge (UAE), and King Hussein Bridge, Damia Bridge, and Abdoun Bridge (Jordan). 1

This is strategic signalling, not operational planning. But the distinction matters less to the governments whose infrastructure was named. The King Fahd Causeway is the only land link between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Striking it would be an act of war against two additional states. Kuwait's Emir publicly noted that Iran struck "a country which we consider a friend, to which we did not allow our land, airspace or waters for any military action against it" .

Deep Analysis

In plain English

After the US struck a bridge in Iran, an IRGC-linked news agency published a list of eight bridges in neighbouring countries that Iran might strike in response. One connects Saudi Arabia and Bahrain by land. Another is in Kuwait, a country that explicitly refused to let the US use its territory for this war. Publishing the list is Iran's way of warning Gulf countries: your infrastructure is within reach.

What could happen next?
  • Risk

    Striking the King Fahd Causeway would constitute an act of war against Saudi Arabia and Bahrain simultaneously, drawing two additional nations into active belligerency.

  • Consequence

    Gulf states named in the list face increased pressure to either align publicly with the US or seek bilateral accommodation with Tehran.

Sources:Fars News via Washington Post
Mentions:Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Bridge →Fars News →Iraq →Mina al-Ahmadi →Iran →Israel →Saudi Arabia →Tehran →Kuwait →IISS →Bahrain →Prima →Jordan →King Hussein Bridge →Damia Bridge →Abdoun Bridge →Sheikh Zayed Bridge →Sheikh Khalifa Bridge →King Fahd Causeway →
First Reported In

Update #58 · First US aircraft fall over Iran

Fars News via Washington Post· 4 Apr 2026
Read original →
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