MANAMA, Bahrain — The regional shadow war haunting the Persian Gulf stepped directly into the industrial heart of Bahrain on Saturday, March 28, 2026, as a targeted Iranian strike hit the Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) power and smelting complex. The company confirmed on Sunday that the attack left two employees with minor injuries, marking a significant escalation in the targeting of civilian infrastructure.

The strike on Alba—one of the world's largest aluminum smelters—coincided with a parallel attack on Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) in the UAE, where six workers were wounded. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) swiftly claimed responsibility for both operations, characterizing them as a "combined and targeted" response using missiles and drones.

In a statement released via the Bahrain News Agency, Alba officials sought to reassure the market and the public. "The safety and security of Alba's people remains its top priority," the company stated. "The Company confirms that two of Alba's employees sustained minor injuries and we are currently assessing the extent of the damage to our facilities."

While the injuries were reported as non-life-threatening, the symbolic and economic weight of the attack is heavy. Alba is a cornerstone of the Bahraini economy; any prolonged disruption to its "reduction lines"—the electrolytic cells where aluminum is born—could have a ripple effect on global supply chains already strained by the month-long regional conflict.

The IRGC justified the strikes by alleging that these Gulf-based aluminum plants are "affiliated with and connected to the U.S. military and aerospace sectors." Tehran claims the operation was a direct retaliation for recent U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian steel and industrial plants, which Iran alleges were launched from or supported by bases within the Gulf States.

This "tit-for-tat" strategy has turned the region's industrial zones into a new frontline. Bahraini authorities have been on high alert since the conflict erupted in late February, with the Bahrain Defense Force reporting the interception of hundreds of missiles and drones over the past four weeks.

The attack comes at a precarious time for the industry. Earlier this month, Alba had already moved to shut down three of its primary production lines—roughly 19% of its capacity—to preserve "business continuity" following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

With shipping lanes blocked and physical infrastructure now under fire, aluminum prices on the London Metal Exchange have remained volatile. Analysts warn that if these "precision strikes" continue to bypass air defenses, the "risk premium" for doing business in the Gulf could become unsustainable for international partners.

As of Sunday afternoon, Alba maintains that it is focused on "operational resilience." However, with the IRGC warning that future retaliation will go "beyond any level of aggression," the workers at Alba and other regional giants find themselves caught in the middle of a conflict that shows no signs of cooling down.