Gulf Petrochemical Plant Declared Safe

The Ministry of Interior announced the completion of all maintenance and safety operations at the Gulf Petrochemicals Company facility following damage caused by a direct strike from an Iranian drone on 5 April 2026.

The ministry said the incident, which it attributed to “ongoing Iranian aggression,” resulted in damage to the facility and constituted a violation of international humanitarian law and a war crime, in accordance with international conventions and norms.

According to the statement, technical remediation has now been fully completed on an ammonia storage tank that had been struck and left in a hazardous condition after the drone became lodged in it. Authorities said repair and maintenance work were carried out under strict safety and security protocols.

The ministry added that, without precautionary measures taken by the government and emergency preparedness efforts, a potential ammonia leak could have caused significant casualties and environmental damage extending across surrounding areas. It also praised the company’s preventive step of emptying the tank, which is located in a populated area.

The Gulf Petrochemicals Company facility is now considered safe, with authorities confirming that residents who had been voluntarily evacuated from the surrounding area have returned to their homes.

As part of precautionary measures, residents within a two-kilometre radius — including parts of residential block 619 and nearby facilities —were temporarily relocated and provided alternative accommodation while safety checks and maintenance were conducted.

The ministry said all necessary safeguards were implemented throughout the operation to prevent any leakage or secondary risks during the repair work.

It also expressed appreciation for residents’ cooperation and adherence to official instructions during the evacuation period, stressing that public awareness and compliance with official guidance remain essential pillars of civil protection and public safety.