MANAMA: Bahrain urged its residents to seek shelter on Sunday after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a U.S. radar system at a military base in the Gulf country.
Bahrain’s Interior Ministry issued several alerts but did not specify the source of the threat. On X, they advised residents to remain calm, “proceed to the nearest safe location,” and follow official information updates.
An AFP journalist reported hearing sirens and explosions, and residents reported additional blasts. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards stated that their Aerospace Force had targeted a U.S. air defence radar system using six drones, identifying the location as the Al-Riffa helicopter base. However, Bahrain’s alerts did not confirm the targeted location.
Bahrain is home to a major U.S. naval base and has been affected by attacks during the ongoing regional conflict, which escalated after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.
In a separate incident on Friday, the Revolutionary Guards claimed to have targeted an American early-warning radar system in Bahrain. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that American forces intercepted two Iranian drones aimed at the country, with no casualties or damage resulting from that earlier attack.
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Sunday’s Iranian statement also declared the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and threatened a stronger response to any further American attacks. Throughout the conflict, Tehran has restricted shipping through the waterway and targeted airports, ports, energy facilities, and U.S. assets throughout the region.
CENTCOM said last month it had helped Gulf countries export 1.5 billion barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz since the summer.
