Iran launched a drone attack against Bahrain early Saturday, opening a new front in the escalating confrontation between Tehran and Washington hours after the U.S. military struck Iranian military sites.
Bahrain, a key U.S. ally that hosts the Navy’s Fifth Fleet, said it was targeted by multiple Iranian drones. The Gulf state condemned the attack as a blatant violation of its sovereignty and accused Tehran of “destabilizing security, exporting chaos and undermining regional stability.”
There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage in Bahrain.
Ship Struck Near Strait Of Hormuz
Hours after the Bahrain attack, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, a shipping monitor run by the British Navy, said a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz had been struck by an unidentified projectile.
The ship’s bridge was damaged, but no injuries were reported.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, carrying roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
U.S. Strike Targeted Iranian Military Sites
The apparent retaliation followed a U.S. Central Command operation Friday targeting Iranian missile and drone storage facilities, along with coastal radar locations.
That operation came after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacked the Singapore-flagged container ship Ever Lovely near the coast of Oman as it was exiting the Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump said Iran had “foolishly” violated its ceasefire agreement.
“We’ll find out,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked whether Iran would face consequences for the strike.
Ceasefire Under Strain
The exchange threatens to undermine ongoing U.S. negotiations with Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program and efforts to end the broader conflict.
Earlier this month, Trump signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding with the Iranian regime that included a 60-day truce and a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran, however, has continued asserting authority over the shipping corridor, warning that safe passage is guaranteed only for vessels that coordinate their routes with Tehran.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused the U.S. on Saturday of breaching the ceasefire and said its military would “defend the country’s sovereignty, security, and national interests with all its strength,” according to Reuters.
Gulf Allies Condemn Tehran
The United Arab Emirates strongly condemned the drone attack on Bahrain, calling it an act of Iranian aggression.
Kuwait also denounced the strike as “reprehensible Iranian aggression” and described it as a direct threat to Bahrain’s security and stability.
The latest attacks mark a sharp escalation in the Gulf, raising new concerns about maritime security, regional stability and whether the fragile U.S.-Iran truce can survive another round of retaliation.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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