London: Iran and allied armed groups carried out at least 135 drone and missile attacks targeting 84 infrastructure sites across seven Gulf countries since the regional conflict began on February 28, according to a Reuters investigation published on October 15.

The investigation found that attacks on critical equipment at oil facilities, ports, airports and industrial complexes caused prolonged disruption and significant economic damage.

The report examined satellite imagery, photographs, videos, official statements, and other records, and interviewed 36 people familiar with the incidents.

The findings cover infrastructure across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Iraq.

The UAE's Fujairah oil port, a major export hub outside the Strait of Hormuz, was among the most heavily affected facilities. The reports identified at least 19 attacks on the port since the conflict began.

In Qatar, attacks on the Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas complex damaged specialised cooling equipment essential for converting natural gas into liquid form.

Other facilities, including the Pearl gas to liquids plant, the UAE's Habshan Gas Complex, and the Al Taweelah aluminium smelter, also sustained damage that required lengthy repairs.

Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure was similarly affected, with attacks damaging pumping stations on a major oil pipeline and targeting facilities near the Red Sea.

The investigations also documented repeated attacks on airports across several Gulf countries.

The investigation found discrepancies between some official accounts, which attributed damage to falling debris from intercepted projectiles, and evidence indicating direct strikes on critical equipment.

However, Reuters acknowledged that it could not independently establish the full extent of damage or the effectiveness of air defences at every location.