Iran announced on Wednesday that its naval forces launched a drone attack targeting the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. The strike was carried out in response to recent US airstrikes on infrastructure in southern Iran by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The claim came hours after Bahrain sounded missile sirens and urged residents to seek shelter. Iranian official media reported that the attack was targeting the Fifth Fleet base in Manama, which is one of the most important American military installations in the Middle East.
According to the IRGC, Shahed-136 one-way attack drones were launched at the base at approximately 2:30 a.m. local time.The Iranian Revolutionary Guard said in a statement that the operation came in response to the American strikes on the Iranian cities of Jask, Sirik, and Qeshm.The Revolutionary Guards claimed that the attacks destroyed civilian infrastructure along Iran’s southern coast.Explaining the reason behind the attack, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard said that the United States struck several sites in southern Iran earlier in the day.The statement said, according to local media, “The warmongering American regime attacked several points in Jask, Sirik, and Qeshm early this morning under false pretexts, which led to the damage of a communications pole in Sirik and the destruction of two water tanks in the city.”
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard said that its forces responded by targeting the US Navy headquarters in Bahrain.The statement added, “In response to the enemy’s evil move, naval fighters of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard launched a drone strike on Bahrain’s Fifth Navy at 2:30 a.m. (2300 GMT on Tuesday).”The group also warned Washington against taking any further military action.In a warning to the United States, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard said that stronger measures would be followed if the attacks continued.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard also claimed that clashes were still ongoing, and said that any additional US military action would lead to a “stronger response.”More than 16 explosions were heard in Bahrain. According to Iraqi media, several Iranian missiles were seen heading towards Bahrain.
The Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain, oversees US naval operations across the Arabian Gulf, the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean.
It plays a major role in protecting shipping lanes and maintaining security in the region.This development comes in the wake of new US air strikes on Iran after a US Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter crashed near the Strait of Hormuz.According to US Central Command, US fighter jets targeted Iranian air defense systems, ground control stations and surveillance radar sites. The United States described the operation as a proportionate response to recent threats against US forces and commercial shipping.But Iran accused Washington of attacking civilian infrastructure and vowed revenge.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned that Iranian forces would not leave any attack unanswered.“Iranian forces will not leave any attack or threat unanswered,” Araqchi wrote on the X website, adding: “Leave our region if you want to be safe.”The latest exchange further strained efforts to ensure a permanent ceasefire in the conflict. This comes just days after Iran and Israel exchanged fire for the first time since the fragile truce came into force earlier this year.