NAIROBI, Kenya – Iran has launched a fresh wave of drone attacks targeting a United States military installation in Bahrain, raising fears of renewed confrontation across the Gulf as diplomatic efforts to end the nearly nine-month conflict remain stalled.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it deployed six drones against a US air-defence radar system at the Al-Rifaa helicopter base on Sunday, November 15, in retaliation for what Tehran described as hostile American military actions.
However, Bahrain’s military said its air-defence systems intercepted several Iranian aerial attacks before they reached their intended targets. There were no immediate reports confirming damage to the US installation.
The incident marked the second Iranian drone attack targeting American military infrastructure in Bahrain within three days.
Bahraini authorities issued public warnings urging residents to remain calm and move to safe locations after explosions and sirens were reported across the Gulf kingdom.
The latest escalation comes as Washington and Tehran remain locked in a standoff over the conflict that began with joint US and Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28, 2026.
Iran Says It Will Continue Responding to US Attacks
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei defended Tehran’s response, saying the country would continue retaliating against military aggression by the United States and other countries.
Speaking during a press conference in Tehran, Baghaei said Iran was focused on protecting its security rather than waiting for diplomatic developments.
His remarks came amid uncertainty over the future of negotiations with Washington, with US President Donald Trump recently indicating that his administration was no longer actively pursuing a deal with Tehran.
Trump has described recent American military operations against Iranian targets, including installations on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, as limited strikes.
The US president has also said Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, cautioned Washington against launching large-scale military operations against Iran.
Despite the diplomatic deadlock, the United States has maintained its naval blockade, while Iran continues to restrict movement through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Bahrain Condemns Fresh Iranian Attacks
Bahrain strongly condemned Sunday’s attacks, accusing Tehran of violating its sovereignty and threatening regional security.
The country’s Foreign Ministry described the renewed strikes as a flagrant violation of international law and rejected Iran’s justification for targeting installations on Bahraini territory.
Bahrain also warned against using its territory as a battleground for settling disputes between Tehran and Washington, holding Iran responsible for the attacks and their consequences.
The kingdom hosts important American military facilities, including the headquarters of US Naval Forces Central Command and the US Fifth Fleet, which supports military operations across the Middle East.
Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar also condemned the attacks and expressed solidarity with Bahrain.
The latest incident followed a separate drone attack on Friday, November 13, when Iran claimed to have struck an American early-warning radar facility in Bahrain.
US Central Command said American forces intercepted two drones during that incident, reporting no injuries or damage.
Iran Claims Oil Supertanker Sank in Strait of Hormuz
Separately, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed that two vessels struck naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in the sinking of an oil supertanker carrying approximately two million barrels of crude oil.
The IRGC said the vessels experienced major explosions and fires during the incidents.
However, the claims had not been independently verified at the time of reporting.
The United States military had previously said it cleared mines from the main shipping routes through the waterway, although the latest allegations have raised fresh concerns over maritime security.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy shipping corridors, linking major Gulf oil producers to international markets.
Any prolonged disruption could affect global oil supplies, shipping costs and energy prices.
Yemen Conflict Adds to Regional Security Concerns
The crisis has also spread to Yemen, where forces aligned with the internationally recognised government have withdrawn from positions near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait as fighting with Houthi rebels continues.
The Southern Armed Forces announced that they were redeploying troops from Dhubab Airport and areas around Bab el-Mandeb in western Taiz Governorate.
The withdrawal marked a setback for a six-week counteroffensive aimed at pushing Houthi forces away from the strategic Red Sea shipping corridor.
The developments could give the Iran-aligned Houthis greater operational room along the route, which is important for international maritime trade.
Meanwhile, a Houthi missile strike near Aden reportedly killed several people and injured 12 others, according to Agence France-Presse, citing military and government sources.
The renewed fighting has added another security concern for Gulf countries already grappling with the consequences of the confrontation between Iran, the United States and Israel.
With attacks continuing across several strategic locations, the latest developments have further complicated efforts to restore diplomatic engagement and prevent a wider regional conflict.
