IRGC struck Bahrain, UAE aluminium plants, threatens US universities in ME

TEHRAN, Mar 29: Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Sunday they had launched missile and drone strikes against aluminium facilities in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, while also threatening to expand retaliation to US-linked targets across the Gulf as regional tensions sharply escalate.

In a statement carried by state broadcaster IRIB, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it struck an aluminium plant in the UAE as well as Aluminium Bahrain's main facility, describing both as "industries affiliated with and connected to the US military and aerospace sectors in the region."

The strikes come amid a widening confrontation that began in late February, with Gulf countries increasingly drawn into exchanges between Iran and US-Israeli forces. The IRGC said its attacks were retaliation for recent strikes on Iranian industrial infrastructure allegedly launched from bases in Gulf states.

Aluminium Bahrain, one of the world's largest aluminium producers, said two employees were wounded in Saturday's strike, sustaining minor injuries. The company added it was assessing the impact on operations but did not provide details on the extent of damage.

In the UAE, Emirates Global Aluminium reported that an Iranian strike caused significant damage to one of its sites in Abu Dhabi and injured six workers.

Iranian officials have vowed further retaliation. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned Friday that Israel would pay a "heavy price" for attacks on major steel and nuclear-related facilities inside Iran.

On Sunday, the IRGC also issued a warning that it could target US universities operating in the Middle East, claiming that US-Israeli strikes had destroyed two Iranian universities. The statement called on Washington to formally condemn the attacks by midday Monday, Tehran time, and advised students and staff at American institutions in the region to stay at least one kilometre away from campuses.

Several US universities maintain branches in Gulf countries, including campuses in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.    �"AFP