English
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility on Sunday for a drone strike targeting a United States military installation in Bahrain, as explosions echoed across the Gulf island nation in the early morning hours.
Iran Targets US Radar System at Bahraini Base
The IRGC stated that six drones from its Aerospace Force struck a US air defence radar system at the Al-Riffa helicopter base in Bahrain. Iran’s state broadcaster carried the announcement on Telegram. The Guards also warned that “the Strait of Hormuz is closed,” adding that any further US aggression would receive “an even harsher and more forceful response.”
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An AFP journalist on the ground reported hearing explosions at around 4:00 am local time (0100 GMT). Residents then reported a second series of blasts at approximately 6:30 am. Bahrain’s authorities posted multiple alerts on social media urging people to seek shelter — the first such warnings since September.
Bahrain Says Its Defences Intercepted the Attacks
Bahrain’s military said it intercepted several Iranian attacks, preventing them from reaching their targets. The country’s foreign ministry confirmed that air defence systems shot down Iranian drones. The interior ministry urged residents to “remain calm, proceed to the nearest safe location, and follow news through official channels.”
This strike follows a similar incident on Friday, when the Revolutionary Guards said they targeted a US early warning radar system in Bahrain. That attack marked the first strike against a Gulf country since early September. The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) said it shot down two Iranian drones during that earlier attack, reporting no casualties or damage.
Broader Context of the Ongoing Conflict
Bahrain hosts a major US naval base and has endured thousands of Iranian drone and missile strikes since the war began on February 28. The country’s foreign ministry said Bahrain “rejects turning its territory into an arena for settling scores” and holds Iran fully responsible for the attacks.
Throughout more than eight months of conflict, Iran has restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and struck airports, seaports, energy facilities, and US assets across the region. Meanwhile, CENTCOM reported last month that it helped Gulf countries export 1.5 billion barrels of oil through Hormuz since the summer.
The war began after surprise US-Israeli strikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Months of diplomacy have so far failed to end the conflict. US President Donald Trump, whose party suffered a steep reversal in midterm elections partly linked to the war, plans to discuss the situation at a trilateral meeting with his Chinese and Russian counterparts this week, according to an official statement on Friday.
