Sirens rang out across Bahrain early Sunday as authorities warned of a potential security threat and instructed residents to move to the nearest safe location as Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) claimed to have launched a drone attack on a U.S. radar system at a military base in the Gulf nation.
The Interior Ministry issued repeated alerts, urging citizens and residents to remain calm, seek shelter and follow updates exclusively through official channels. The ministry did not disclose the source or nature of the threat.
Iran claims attack on US radar system According to a statement carried by Iranian state broadcaster on Sunday, the IRGC targeted a U.S. air defense radar system at the Al-Riffa helicopter base in Bahrain using six drones.
"The U.S. air defense radar system at the Al-Riffa helicopter base in Bahrain was targeted by six drones belonging to the IRGC Aerospace Force," the Guards said in a statement published by the state broadcaster on Telegram. Bahrain hosts a major U.S. naval base and has been among several Gulf countries hit by Iranian attacks during the conflict.
The latest alert also follows a similar claim by the IRGC on Friday, when it reported targeting a U.S. early-warning radar system in Bahrain. The U.S. military, meanwhile, confirmed shooting down two Iranian drones targeting the Gulf island.
Strait of Hormuz remains key flashpoint The latest developments come amid continued tensions between Washington and Tehran over navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global energy and commodity shipments. Control of shipping through the waterway has remained a central issue in negotiations between the two sides, as Iran has restricted maritime traffic during the conflict.
The war began on Feb. 28, when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran. The sides reached a ceasefire in April, but fighting later resumed as negotiations stalled, despite the two sides signing a memorandum of understanding in June. During eight months of conflict, Iran has also struck airports, seaports, energy facilities, landmarks and U.S-linked assets across the region.