Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for a missile and drone attack targeting a U.S. Air base in Bahrain early Tuesday, according to Iran’s official news agency, Irna. The IRGC stated that 20 drones and three missiles were launched, allegedly “destroying the base’s main command headquarters,” though no independent verification of the claim has been released.
The attack, described by the IRGC as a large-scale operation, comes after a series of U.S. And Israeli strikes against Iranian targets on Saturday, which reportedly killed several top leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has characterized its retaliatory strikes as a response to this “American-Zionist aggression.”
Bahrain’s National Communication Centre confirmed a missile attack targeted a Fifth Fleet service center, calling it a “flagrant violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty and security,” and stating the attack originated from outside Bahraini territory. The U.S. Fifth Fleet is headquartered at Naval Support Activity Bahrain in Manama, responsible for naval operations across the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and Arabian Sea.
Alongside the Bahrain attack, the IRGC claimed to have targeted Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, Arifjan US Base in Kuwait, and Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar – the largest U.S. Military base in the Middle East – with a total of 26 UAVs and five ballistic missiles. Smoke was observed rising over Manama, Bahrain, and explosions were reported near the Mina Salman port, according to reports.
U.S. Central Command (Centcom) responded to the Iranian attacks, stating on social media that U.S. Forces had destroyed IRGC command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields. Centcom indicated that sustained operations would continue against “imminent threats posed by the Iranian regime.”
The attacks prompted a warning from the U.S. State Department urging all U.S. Citizens to leave Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel and the Palestinian territories, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen due to escalating tensions. A drone strike also hit the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, causing a fire and prompting a response from local authorities.
Amidst the escalating conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the war against Iran “may take some time” but would not last years. This contrasts with initial projections from President Donald Trump, who initially suggested the conflict could last four to five weeks, but later indicated it could be longer. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the U.S. Attacked Iran after learning Israel was preparing to strike, potentially triggering retaliation against U.S. Forces. Rubio also suggested that “the hardest hits” from the U.S. Military are yet to come.
There was conflicting information regarding the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for oil and gas shipments. A general in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards threatened to “burn any ship” attempting to navigate the waterway, but U.S. Central Command later stated the strait remained open.
The Israeli military has issued new evacuation orders for dozens of locations in Lebanon, including warnings for residents in two southern Beirut neighborhoods to avoid certain buildings, signaling potential imminent military action. Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for launching drones at northern Israel.
