ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Sunday it launched six drones against a US military radar installation in Bahrain, as the kingdom issued a security alert and Tehran reported two more oil tankers catching fire after striking naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement carried by the IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency, the Guards said their Aerospace Force targeted the radar at the American air defence site at Bahrain's Riffa helicopter base.
“In the second phase of our decisive and crushing response to the US military's blatant aggression, the American air defense radar at the Riffa helicopter base in Bahrain was targeted by six IRGC Aerospace Force drones,” the statement said.
The IRGC claimed the drones successfully struck their targets, but provided no independently verifiable evidence of damage or casualties.
Bahrain's Interior Ministry separately issued a security alert urging residents to remain calm and seek shelter.
The latest claim follows an exchange of attacks between Washington and Tehran after a telecommunications facility in Sirik, southern Iran, was struck on Thursday.
Iran subsequently claimed to have destroyed an American early-warning radar in Bahrain. US Central Command (CENTCOM) rejected that claim, saying it had intercepted two Iranian drones without casualties or damage.
In Sunday's statement, the IRGC accused Washington of attempting to distract attention from its failure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“The Strait of Hormuz is closed, and any aggression by the American enemy will be met with a harsher and more crushing response,” it warned.
Meanwhile, the IRGC Navy said two oil tankers attempting to navigate an unauthorised route through the southern strait with their identification systems switched off struck naval mines and caught fire.
It added that two other tankers abandoned their attempted passage after receiving warnings from Iranian naval authorities.
The vessels were not identified, and the incidents could not be independently verified.
The escalation comes despite indications that US President Donald Trump is reluctant to resume large-scale military operations against Iran.
Iran, meanwhile, unveiled a new underground missile facility on November 10 and has warned that American military installations involved in attacks against it, including bases in Europe, could become targets.
The threats have raised concerns about US facilities in Britain, including RAF Fairford.
Despite ongoing mediation, Iran continues to insist on its seven conditions for reopening the strait, while Washington maintains its naval blockade, intensifying economic pressure on Tehran.
The latest confrontation underscores the risk of renewed escalation even as diplomatic efforts continue.
