Bahrain is blaming a recent explosion at the country's main oil pipeline on its regional rival, Iran. The state-owned pipeline near the village of Buri exploded Nov. 10. The next day, Bahrain's interior minister issued a statement describing the event as a terrorist attack, saying it was carried out under Iran's direction. Bahrain's foreign minister tweeted about the incident as well, calling it a dangerous Iranian escalation. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and others have also alleged Iranian involvement, which Iran denies. But the Saudi decision to increase security at its own oil and natural gas facilities suggests the explosion was indeed caused by a terrorist attack or sabotage.

No one has claimed the attack yet, but the target would be a noteworthy change for Bahraini militants. Groups like the Al Ashtar Brigades have carried out rudimentary bombing attacks on police buses and patrols, but this would be the first time in recent memory that a group has successfully targeted the country's energy infrastructure. The exact details of what caused the explosion are being withheld, but Saudi Arabia was forced to temporarily stop the flow of oil to Bahrain as a result. In addition to the direct cost of the explosion, further attacks could disrupt energy supplies to Bahrain. The lack of information on the exact nature of the attack — whether it was a bombing, sabotage or some other method — makes it difficult to assess whether the militants are capable of carrying out similar strikes in the future.

The type of explosive used could also be causing countries to accuse Iran so quickly. If military-grade explosives caused the explosion, it would be strong evidence that the militants had Iran's backing. Iranian involvement is a definite possibility, although it's impossible to say for sure whether Iranian-backed militants are responsible or, if they were, how much control Iran is able to exert over them. What is clear is that, with Saudi Arabia pressuring Iran in Lebanon and elsewhere, Iran will push back as much as it can in other parts of the region, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province and even the waters of the Persian Gulf.