This story has moved on: Iran claims drone attack on US base in Bahrain

Summarised from 4 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 13 Nov, 15:44 · Archive

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps says it destroyed a US early-warning radar in Bahrain in retaliation for a US airstrike on a telecommunications tower in Iran.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed on Friday that it had destroyed a US early-warning radar installation in Bahrain. The IRGC said the strike was retaliation for a US airstrike on a telecommunications tower in Sirik County in southern Iran's Hormozgan province, which occurred on Thursday.

In a statement carried by the semi-official Tasnim news agency and reported by state media, the IRGC called the action a 'serious warning' to the 'aggressor enemy' to halt what it described as aerial provocations and oil smuggling in the Strait of Hormuz. The statement said the IRGC Aerospace Force stood in 'full readiness to engage without limits' should such violations and acts of aggression recur.

Bahrain hosts the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, which commands US naval operations in the Middle East. Satellite imagery analysed by Al Jazeera showed the base had been targeted, with direct hits on several radar domes and damage to buildings across the installation.

The US military's Central Command denied the Iranian claims. It said US forces had intercepted two Iranian drones headed for Bahrain rather than allowing any strike on the radar system. There was no immediate comment from the Bahraini government.

According to Reuters, this was Iran's first claimed attack on US military assets in a Gulf country since early September. The incident comes as US President Donald Trump has adopted a harder line against Iran, stating that Washington no longer needed an agreement with Iran. Trump said that Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia and Qatar had asked him to postpone broader attacks against Iran.

Despite the rising military tensions, diplomatic efforts mediated by Qatar and Pakistan continue. Iran has made any resumption of formal negotiations with Washington conditional on its demands being met. Vance, seen by Iranians as a trustworthy figure close to Trump, had sought a personal meeting with Iranian negotiators but was rejected.

How it is being reported

• Iran targeted US radar system in BahrainIran claimed it struck US radar systems in Bahrain, while the US said it had intercepted the attacks. Clashes continue in the Strait of Hormuz, as the war remains in a state of de-escalation.DW News · 13 Nov, 15:32
• Iran says it destroyed US military radar in Bahrain in retaliatory strikeFirst direct attack on US military installations for months was in response to US airstrike on communications tower Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it has targeted and destroyed a US early-warning radar in Bahrain – its first direct attack on US military installations for months – in response to a US airstrike on a communications tower in Sirik overlooking the strait of Hormuz. “This is a serious warning to the aggressor enemy to end its aerial mischief and oil smuggling in the strait of Hormuz,” the IRGC said. “In the event of repeated violations and aggression, the IRGC…The Guardian · 13 Nov, 12:07
• Iran threatens unlimited response over Strait of Hormuz after US attackIran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it destroyed a US early-warning radar in Bahrain.Al Jazeera · 13 Nov, 10:54
• IRGC says it destroyed US radar in Bahrain after attack on southern IranDespite rising military tensions, diplomatic efforts mediated by Qatar and Pakistan are continuing. Tehran has made any resumption of formal negotiations with Washington conditional on its demands being met.Euronews · 13 Nov, 09:39
• Iran says it targeted US radar site in BahrainIRGC claimed Bahrain radar strike was response to US attacks on Iranian telecom tower in southern Hormozgan province.Al Jazeera · 13 Nov, 03:17

In this story: Iran · Bahrain · United States · Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps · US Navy Fifth Fleet · Strait of Hormuz · Donald Trump · Sirik

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log