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Iran on Wednesday claimed 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 retaliation for recent American airstrikes on infrastructure in southern Iran by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The claim came hours after Bahrain sounded missile alert sirens and urged residents to seek shelter. Iranian state media reported that the attack was aimed at the Fifth Fleet base in Manama, one of the United States’ most important military installations in the Middle East. According to the IRGC, Shahed-136 one-way attack drones were launched against the base at around 2.30 am local time.In a statement, the IRGC said the operation was a response to US strikes on the Iranian cities of Jask, Sirik and Qeshm.The Guards alleged that the attacks damaged civilian infrastructure along Iran’s southern coast.Explaining the reason behind the attack, the IRGC said the US had struck several locations in southern Iran earlier in the day.”The warmongering US regime attacked several points in Jask, Sirik and Qeshm early this morning under false pretexts, damaging a telecommunications mast in Sirik and destroying two water tanks in the city,” the statement read according to local media. The IRGC said its forces retaliated by targeting the US naval headquarters in Bahrain.”In response to the enemy’s vicious move, the IRGC naval fighters launched a drone strike on the Bahraini 5th Navy at 2:30 am (2300 GMT Tuesday),” the statement added.The group also warned Washington against further military action.Issuing a warning to the United States, the IRGC said stronger action would follow if attacks continued. The IRGC further claimed that clashes were still underway and said any additional US military action would trigger a ‘stronger response.’Over 16 explosion sounds were heard in Bahrain. According to Iraqi media, several Iranian missiles were seen heading towards Bahrain. The Fifth Fleet, headquartered in Bahrain, oversees US naval operations across the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. It plays a key role in protecting shipping lanes and maintaining security in the region.The development follows fresh US airstrikes on Iran after an American Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter crashed near the Strait of Hormuz.According to US Central Command, American fighter jets targeted Iranian air defence systems, ground control stations and surveillance radar sites. The US described the operation as a proportional response to recent threats against American forces and commercial shipping.Iran, however, accused Washington of attacking civilian infrastructure and vowed retaliation.Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Iranian forces would not leave any attack unanswered.”Iranian forces will leave no attack or threat unanswered,” Araghchi wrote on X, adding: “Leave our region if you want to be safe.”The latest exchange has further strained efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire in the conflict. It comes just days after Iran and Israel exchanged fire for the first time since a fragile truce took effect earlier this year.
