Our Scans · Bahrain · Weekly Summary

• [New] IRGC claims drone attack on US Fifth Fleet: Iran's Revolutionary Guard says it launched a drone attack against the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain in response to US strikes, warning that heavier retaliation will follow if US military action continues. Al Jazeera
• [New] Disruptions linked to the Iran conflict have impacted key Gulf smelters, including facilities in Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE. Carbon Credits
• Public debt is projected to reach nearly 147% of GDP in 2025 and climb above 150% by 2027, driven by large fiscal deficits estimated at 13.4% of GDP in 2026 due to lower oil revenues, higher interest costs, and increased public spending. / Bahrain MUFG Research
• U.S. imports from Persian Gulf nations - Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar - currently average about 500,000 barrels per day, near-historic lows in modern times rivaled only by disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Forbes
• Western media reported in recent days that Iran has warned Persian Gulf countries hosting US military bases, including Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, and Bahrain, not to support any potential strike on Iran. Institute for the Study of War
• Oil growth for 2025 is forecast at 0.9%. / Bahrain News of Bahrain
• Anglo American is also reportedly redirecting Brazilian iron ore shipments toward Asia as disruptions tied to Gulf shipping routes continue impacting Bahrain steel supply chains. investing.com
• While Oman stands the best bet of making inroads into the UAE/Qatar demand pool for travel, Bahrain and Kuwait have long since languished to the point where no matter what they do, they will always be a regional afterthought in terms of business, travel and holidays. Khaleej Times
• UK businesses importing goods from the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, or Saudi Arabia should expect delays and significantly higher landed costs. AOG Worldwide
• A more aggressive Iran has exposed the vulnerabilities of the Arab states (Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman). Home & Away
• Global oil production faces significant headwinds from escalating Middle East disruptions, with Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain collectively shutting in 10.5 million barrels per day of crude output in April. Market Insights
• Financial regulators across the middle east, such as the central banks of the UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar, and Bahrain, are each working on new operational resilience regulations - some expected by 2026. KPMG
• Amazon reported that its AWS Bahrain region was disrupted due to ongoing geopolitical conflict, with workloads shifted to other regions as recovery efforts continue, highlighting operational risks tied to its global cloud infrastructure. TIKR.com
• A new Schengen-style GCC visa will allow travelers to move freely across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman using a single permit. Dubai.News
• Even today, as conflict continues in the Middle East, desalination plants in both Iran and Bahrain have been attacked, cutting off sources of fresh water for population centers that will take years to rebuild. George W. Bush Presidential Center
• Economists have sharply cut 2026 growth forecasts: Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain are now expected to contract by 6.0%, 4.4%, and 2.9%, reversing previous growth projections. Yahoo
• Even a diplomatic solution will not immediately fix the 3-million-tonne hole left by the damaged smelters in the UAE and Bahrain. The Pilot News
• Bahrain has already been impacted by reduced tourism as Saudi Arabia increased domestic offerings, and its tourism revenues could be further disadvantaged in the recovery post-war. FDD
• Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates later designated it a terrorist organization, describing it as a threat to national stability, while Bahrain adopted a similar stance. Yahoo News
• Amazon said its AWS Bahrain region was disrupted by drone activity, a notable reminder that cloud infrastructure remains tied to physical risk, even when customers experience it as abstract compute. Tech Startups - Tech News, Tech Trends & Startup Fundin
• Aluminium Bahrain has stated that its decarbonization efforts align with the national strategy to reduce GHG emissions by 30% by 2035 (relative to 2019), and achieve net zero by 2060. OBSERVER RESEARCH FOUNDATION ( ORF )
• 81% in Bahrain doubted AI could deliver empathetic care, echoing global skepticism where most psychiatrists believe AI could augment specific tasks but not replace them. Exploration of Digital Health Technologies

Last updated: 23 June 2026