Iran Claims Drone Attack on US Military Base in Bahrain

Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced on Sunday, November 15, 2026, that they had carried out a drone attack on a US military radar system at a base in Bahrain. According to a statement carried by the Iranian state broadcaster, six drones belonging to the IRGC Aerospace Force targeted the US air defence radar system at the Al-Riffa helicopter base. The attack was confirmed by the Guards in a statement posted on Telegram.

The attack on the US military base in Bahrain was met with a response from Bahrain's military, which said it had intercepted several Iranian attacks and prevented them from reaching their intended targets. The foreign ministry also reported that air defence systems had shot down Iranian drones. Residents in the area reported hearing explosions around 4 am and 6:30 am, prompting the interior ministry to urge residents to remain calm and seek shelter.

This latest attack on Bahrain is part of a larger pattern of Iranian strikes on Gulf countries since the war began on February 28. Bahrain, which hosts a major US naval base, has been heavily targeted, with thousands of Iranian drone and missile strikes reported since the conflict started. The tiny island nation has rejected turning its territory into an arena for settling scores and holds Iran fully responsible for the attacks and their consequences.

The US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that it had shot down two Iranian drones targeting the Gulf island, with no casualties or damage reported. CENTCOM oversees American military operations in the region and has helped Gulf countries export 1.5 billion barrels of oil since the summer via the Strait of Hormuz. The US, along with its allies, has been involved in a diplomatic effort to resolve the war, which has so far been unsuccessful.

The conflict between Iran and the US has been ongoing for over eight months, with Iran restricting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz oil trade route and striking infrastructure, including airports, seaports, energy facilities, and US assets across the region. The US President plans to discuss the conflict at a trilateral meeting with his Chinese and Russian counterparts this week.

The Iranian strikes have had significant implications for the region, with the energy-rich Gulf bearing the brunt of the attacks. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for oil exports, has been closed, and Iran has warned that any aggression by the US will be met with an even harsher and more forceful response.

The situation remains tense, with no clear resolution in sight. The US and its allies continue to work towards a diplomatic solution, while Iran maintains its stance that it will not back down. The conflict has had far-reaching consequences, with the region remaining on high alert for further attacks.

Key points

• Iran's Revolutionary Guards claim responsibility for a drone attack on a US military radar system in Bahrain.
• The attack is part of a larger pattern of Iranian strikes on Gulf countries since the war began.
• The US and its allies continue to work towards a diplomatic solution to the conflict.