Manama: Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Sunday claimed that it had launched a drone attack on a US air defence radar installation at a military base in Bahrain, raising fresh security concerns across the Gulf.
In a statement carried by Iranian state broadcaster IRIB, the IRGC said six drones from its Aerospace Force targeted the radar system at the Al-Riffa helicopter base. It described the operation as the second phase of its response to what it called American military aggression.
There was no immediate independent confirmation of damage to the installation. Neither the US military nor Bahraini authorities had confirmed the latest Iranian claim at the time of reporting.
Bahrain's Interior Ministry issued a security alert on Sunday, urging citizens and residents to remain calm and move to the nearest safe location. It also asked people to follow official channels for further updates.
The announcement follows another claim by the IRGC on Friday that it had destroyed a US early-warning radar system in Bahrain. Tehran said that operation was retaliation for an alleged US airstrike on a telecommunications tower in Sirik, in Iran's southern Hormozgan province.
However, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) rejected the earlier claim, saying American forces had intercepted and shot down two Iranian one-way attack drones heading towards Bahrain. It reported no casualties or damage.
Bahrain hosts the US Navy's Fifth Fleet and is a key location for American military operations in the Gulf.
Security concerns have also spread beyond Bahrain. Media reports said a Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthi rebels had intercepted three drones within three hours. The Houthis, meanwhile, claimed to have shot down a Saudi aircraft over al-Jawf.
The developments come amid the wider conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel, which began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. The conflict has since raised security concerns across the region, including around military installations and key maritime routes.
With input from media reports