U.S. Denies Iran’s Claim of Military Strikes on Bahrain Radar

The United States military says it intercepted two Iranian attack drones on Friday, denying claims by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that it had struck a US early-warning radar installation in Bahrain.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the drones were launched by the IRGC but were shot down before causing any injuries or damage.

The announcement followed an IRGC statement claiming it had targeted a US early-warning radar system in Bahrain in retaliation for an alleged US airstrike on a telecommunications tower in southern Iran.

However, neither side's claims could be independently verified, according to Al Jazeera.

The IRGC-affiliated Fars news agency reported that its Aerospace Force had targeted and destroyed the radar installation, while the semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted the military describing the alleged strike as a warning against further attacks and oil smuggling in the Strait of Hormuz.

The IRGC warned that its Aerospace Force was prepared to respond forcefully if what it described as violations and acts of aggression continued.

According to Reuters, the claim marks the first time since early September that Iran has reported an attack on US military assets in a Gulf country.

The development comes amid rising tensions, with Israeli media reporting that Israel's security cabinet has directed its military to strengthen preparations for a possible attack on Iran.

Iran's security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, has also warned that any US military base involved in a renewed war, whether in West Asia or Europe, could become a target for Iranian strikes.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has indicated his willingness to resume military operations if diplomatic efforts involving Qatar fail to produce an agreement.

However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has maintained that economic pressure on Iran is yielding sufficient results, making a return to large-scale military action unnecessary.