Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for striking a US early-warning radar installation in Bahrain, describing the operation as retaliation for an attack on a telecommunications tower in the Iranian port city of Sirik.
The announcement came hours after Iran’s state news agency, citing official sources, reported that Sirik, in Hormozgan province, had been hit by what it described as “enemy fire” on Thursday.
In a statement, the IRGC characterised the strike against the radar installation as a “serious warning” to what it called the “aggressor enemy,” accusing its adversaries of carrying out aerial provocations and oil smuggling in the Strait of Hormuz.
It warned that further violations could trigger additional military action. “Should these violations and acts of aggression recur, the IRGC Aerospace Force stands in full readiness to engage without limits,” the statement said.
Bahrain hosts the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, which oversees American naval operations across the Middle East.
The Fifth Fleet is based at Naval Support Activity Bahrain in the capital, Manama, and serves as a major command centre for US maritime operations in the region.
US Weighs Further Strikes As Gulf Allies Urge Restraint
The reported radar strike comes as US President Donald Trump considers whether to resume large-scale military operations against Iran amid uncertainty surrounding diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement.
Trump said that Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Gulf countries had asked him to refrain from launching further major attacks against Tehran.
Despite the reported appeals, the US President warned that Washington retained the capacity to inflict extensive damage on Iran’s infrastructure. He claimed that the United States could destroy the country’s energy infrastructure, bridges and manufacturing facilities within three days.
The comments have heightened concerns about the possibility of renewed attacks, particularly as diplomatic efforts continue through Qatar. Trump has said he is prepared to return to military action if the diplomatic initiative fails to produce an agreement.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that the United States has reduced its troop presence at some military installations in the region and ordered certain diplomatic personnel to leave as a precaution.
US Central Command said it regularly moves personnel and military assets to “optimise mission readiness,” without providing further details about the reported changes.
The reported adjustments come against the backdrop of previous Iranian attacks on American facilities across the region.
A Pentagon inspector general’s report released in September found that Iranian attacks had damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings at US installations in eight countries, including Bahrain, during the first four months of the war.
Iran Warns Of Wider Retaliation
Iranian officials have continued issuing warnings against renewed US military action, threatening to expand any confrontation beyond the immediate Middle East.
Iran’s Security Chief, Mohsen Rezaei, warned that if Washington launched another war, military bases involved in the operation could become legitimate targets for Iranian strikes, regardless of their location.
He indicated that the potential targets could extend from West Asia into Europe, signalling Tehran’s willingness to broaden the geographical scope of any retaliation.
The warning adds to concerns that renewed hostilities could draw additional countries into the conflict, particularly those hosting American military installations.
The IRGC’s latest statement similarly suggested that further attacks against Iranian interests could prompt a more extensive response.
Its reference to the Strait of Hormuz also highlights the strategic importance of the waterway, through which a substantial share of global oil supplies passes.
Any escalation affecting maritime security in the strait could have consequences for international energy markets and commercial shipping.
The latest developments have also coincided with reports that Israel is preparing for the possibility of renewed military action against Iran.
According to Israeli media, the country’s security cabinet has instructed the military to intensify preparations for a potential attack.
Washington Divided Between Military And Diplomatic Options
Despite Trump’s warnings, senior US officials have continued to emphasise the role of economic pressure in addressing the confrontation with Iran.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has argued that economic pressure on Tehran is proving sufficiently effective to make a resumption of large-scale military operations unnecessary.
His position contrasts with Trump’s warning that military action remains an option if diplomatic efforts fail.
The difference highlights the competing approaches within Washington as the administration weighs the risks of renewed conflict against the prospects of securing an agreement through negotiations.
With Qatar continuing to offer a diplomatic channel, the coming days could prove significant in determining whether the United States and Iran can avoid another round of major military confrontation.
However, the IRGC’s reported strike in Bahrain, Israel’s preparations and Tehran’s threats against military installations beyond the region emphasize the risks of further escalation.
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