Iran has launched drone strikes against a US military base in Bahrain, adding to doubts about peace talks between Tehran and Washington and raising the risk of escalation. Explosions were heard over the Gulf state on Sunday, in Iran’s second drone attack within three days, in retaliation for US strikes in Iran. These developments deepened pessimism about the chances of any diplomatic progress in the region.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility, stating it had launched six drones targeting a US air defense radar at the Al-Rifaa helicopter base, in response to “US hostile actions.” Authorities in Bahrain confirmed that air defenses had intercepted the drones before they reached their targets. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stressed that Iran would continue to respond to any military aggression from the US or other states, adding that the country was focused on its security and “was not waiting for anyone.”
The latest attacks suggest Iran has decided to respond in kind to US strikes. Bahrain hosts important US bases, including an advanced base that serves as a support hub for military operations in the Middle East, where the US Fifth Fleet and Naval Forces Central Command are located. Tehran had repeatedly targeted the kingdom until September, when there was a lull in attacks, which ended on Friday with a drone attack on a US radar facility. US Central Command said it had shot down two drones without causing damage or injuries. Sunday’s attacks prompted sirens and alerts from Bahraini authorities, asking residents to seek shelter.
In another development, Iran claimed that an oil supertanker with 2 million barrels of oil sank in the Strait of Hormuz after hitting a mine, although there was no immediate independent verification. The US military had recently stated it had cleared all mines from the main routes of this strategic waterway. Meanwhile, in Yemen, Iran’s Houthi allies advanced against pro-government forces in the south, opening a potential route toward Aden. The Southern Armed Forces announced their withdrawal from the Bab el-Mandeb strait to defend Aden, signaling the failure of a six-week government counteroffensive. Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry called the attacks “a despicable aggression” and a flagrant violation of international law, rejecting Tehran’s “weak pretexts and baseless claims.” Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar condemned the attacks and expressed solidarity with Bahrain.
Source: The Guardian