Explosions were reported in Bahrain after Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed a six-drone attack on a US radar system. Bahrain said its air defences intercepted Iranian strikes.
Explosions were reported across Bahrain early Sunday after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have launched a drone attack on a US military installation in the Gulf nation, which has faced repeated Iranian strikes during the ongoing Middle East war.
Air raid sirens sounded in the country around 4 am local time, prompting authorities to issue emergency alerts and urge residents to move to safe locations. An AFP journalist reported hearing explosions at around 4 am, followed by another series of blasts at approximately 6.30 am.
Bahrain's military said its air defence systems intercepted several Iranian attacks before they could reach their intended targets. The country's foreign ministry also confirmed that Iranian drones had been brought down.
In a statement carried by Iranian state media, the Revolutionary Guards said six drones had targeted a US air defence radar system at the Al-Riffa helicopter base in Bahrain. The IRGC Aerospace Force claimed responsibility for the operation.
The statement also warned that any further US action would invite a stronger response, while reiterating Iran's position that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
Bahrain's Interior Ministry appealed to residents to remain calm, move to the nearest safe location and follow updates through official channels.
The latest incident comes after a brief lull in attacks on Bahrain, which hosts a major US naval base. The country has now been targeted twice in three days, marking a fresh escalation in strikes against Gulf nations during the conflict.
Bahrain's Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks, saying the country would not allow its territory to become a platform for settling regional disputes. It held Iran responsible for the strikes and their consequences.
On Friday, the IRGC had also claimed to have targeted a US early-warning radar system in Bahrain. That was the first reported strike against a Gulf country since early September.
The US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had intercepted two Iranian drones during Friday's attack. It reported no casualties or damage.
Strait of Hormuz remains a key flashpoint
Iran's actions have disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil trade. Since the conflict began on February 28, the country has also targeted infrastructure across the region, including airports, seaports, energy facilities and US military assets.
The war has placed Gulf countries under sustained pressure, with Bahrain among the nations that have faced thousands of Iranian drone and missile attacks.
CENTCOM said last month that it had helped Gulf countries export 1.5 billion barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz since the summer.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump is expected to discuss the conflict at a trilateral meeting with Chinese and Russian leaders this week, an official said on Friday. The meeting comes amid continuing diplomatic efforts to end the war, which began with surprise US-Israeli strikes that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Despite months of diplomatic efforts, the conflict remains unresolved.
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