Iran has claimed to have launched a new wave of missile and drone attacks on American military facilities in Bahrain, hours after the US military announced another round of strikes against Iranian military infrastructure along the country’s southern coastline.
The developments signal another sharp escalation in the ongoing confrontation between Tehran and Washington. However, key battlefield claims made by both sides remain unverified independently, and there has been no confirmation from US or Bahraini authorities regarding the damage claimed by Iran.
IRGC claims strikes on US facilities in Bahrain
In a statement carried by Iranian state media, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had carried out the second phase of its retaliatory military campaign against US forces stationed in the Middle East.
The IRGC claimed it struck a US drone command and control centre at Sheikh Issa Airbase in Bahrain.
It also alleged that a helicopter maintenance facility and a hangar housing P-8 electronic warfare aircraft were hit during the operation, which it referred to as Operation “Nasr 2”.
Iranian state media further reported that separate missile and drone strikes targeted the Al Juffair military installation in Bahrain.
According to the reports, the attacks hit weapons storage facilities, a satellite communications hub and a building used by American military personnel.
Iranian officials said the operation was still underway and warned that additional phases could follow if US military operations continue.
Neither the United States nor Bahrain has confirmed the Iranian claims. Independent verification of the reported strikes was not immediately available.
Iran also referred to its earlier claim that it had destroyed fuel and ammunition depots at a US-linked airbase in Jordan. That claim, too, has not been independently verified.
CENTCOM reports five-hour operation inside Iran
Separately, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces completed another coordinated military operation against Iranian targets at 10:15 pm Eastern Time on July 13.
According to CENTCOM, the five-hour mission struck military infrastructure at Bushehr, Chah Bahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa and Bandar Abbas along Iran’s southern coast.
The command said precision-guided munitions were used against Iranian coastal defence systems, missile launch infrastructure, drone positions and naval assets.
CENTCOM said the operation was intended to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.
The US military also said more than 50,000 American personnel remain deployed across the Middle East.
“American forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready,” CENTCOM said, adding that further operations remain an option if tensions continue to rise.