Iran launches drone attack on US base in Bahrain amid Hormuz tensions

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it launched six drones against the US air-defence radar facility at al-Riffa air base in Bahrain on Sunday, marking a second attack on the country within three days. Bahrain's military reported that its air-defence systems intercepted and destroyed the drones before they could achieve their objectives.

The IRGC described the strike as a response to what it called "unauthorised" traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for about one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies. The United States has been providing protection for tankers transiting the strait.

Bahrain's foreign ministry condemned the attacks, stating the kingdom holds Iran fully responsible for the consequences. The interior ministry urged citizens to seek shelter as sirens sounded across the country.

The United States denied that its facilities were damaged, saying the drones were shot down by US forces and that there were no injuries or damage. Earlier in the week, US forces carried out limited strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island in response to an IRGC attack on a US aircraft.

Negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz collapsed after renewed Iranian attacks on shipping and the reinstatement of a US naval blockade of Iranian ports. President Donald Trump recently said the United States is no longer pursuing a deal to end the conflict with Iran and directed Vice-President JD Vance to focus on domestic political matters.