Bahrain air defense radars came under drone fire on Sunday as explosions rocked the island nation and residents rushed to shelters.
Sirens echoed across Bahrain at roughly 4:00 a.m. local time, followed by a second wave of detonations at 6:30 a.m., detikNews reported. The Ministry of Interior urged citizens via the platform X to stay calm and move to safe locations.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for the assault. In a statement broadcast on Telegram and cited by CNN Indonesia, the IRGC said its aerospace forces deployed six unmanned aerial vehicles against a United States air defense radar system at Al-Riffa helicopter base.
The strike marks the second time in three days that the IRGC has targeted American radar installations in Bahrain. On Friday, November 13, 2026, the Iranian military launched a similar attack that prompted U.S. forces to shoot down two drones, according to military statements carried by CNN Indonesia.
Al-Riffa Radar Under Drone Fire
The Sunday morning attack triggered widespread alarm throughout the island kingdom.
“Sistem radar pertahanan udara AS di pangkalan helikopter Al-Riffa, Bahrain, menjadi sasaran enam pesawat nirawak milik Angkatan Kedirgantaraan Garda Revolusi Iran,” detikNews stated, quoting the official IRGC dispatch published by the Fars news agency.
Bahraini authorities activated emergency protocols and broadcast safety instructions across digital channels. The Ministry of Interior issued public advisories directing residents to monitor official updates, though local officials did not explicitly name the origin of the aerial threats during the initial alerts.
Strait of Hormuz Blockade Claims
Alongside the Al-Riffa strike, the IRGC asserted that the vital shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz remains entirely closed. The paramilitary force criticized Washington’s escort capabilities, alleging failures by the U.S. military to secure vessels navigating the narrow waterway.
Tehran’s military leadership warned that any subsequent American aggression would trigger a disproportionate retaliation. “Setiap tindakan agresi militer AS akan dibalas dengan respons yang jauh lebih keras dan lebih menghancurkan,” detikNews noted from the IRGC statement.
The U.S. Central Command maintained a different operational picture regarding the maritime corridor. CENTCOM reported that it successfully facilitated the transit of 1.5 billion barrels of oil for Gulf nations through the strait since the summer months.
CENTCOM confirms zero casualties from drone incursions
United States military authorities did not issue an immediate public reply to the latest Sunday claims regarding the Al-Riffa radar facility.
CENTCOM confirmed zero casualties and no structural damage resulting from the earlier Friday drone incursions.
The broader conflict stems from initial joint strikes launched by the United States and Israel against targets inside Iran on February 28, 2026, according to historical timelines provided by ANTARA News Sulteng and CNN Indonesia.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Bahrain Radar Strike
What facility was targeted in Bahrain?
The IRGC targeted an American air defense radar system located at the Al-Riffa helicopter base in Bahrain using six drones on Sunday, November 15, 2026.
Were there any casualties reported by the United States military?
CENTCOM reported no casualties and no physical damage following the drone attacks directed at the Gulf island nation.
What is the status of the Strait of Hormuz according to Iran?
The IRGC claims that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and accuses Washington of failing to adequately protect commercial vessels passing through the waterway.
When did the current military conflict between Iran and the U.S. begin?
Hostilities escalated when the United States and Israel launched coordinated air strikes against targets in Iran on February 28, 2026.