Bahrain reports repelling Iranian attack after new wave of US airstrikes

Manama – 18 July 2026: According to consistent reports, Bahrain has repelled a new Iranian attack. The attack came after another night of US airstrikes on targets in Iran. The situation in the Persian Gulf therefore remains extremely dangerous: Washington and Tehran continue military operations against each other, while many countries in the region keep their air defence forces on heightened alert.

According to information from Bahrain, incoming missiles and drones were intercepted. Initially, authorities did not release verified details on the number of missiles or drones used. As of Saturday morning, there was also no independently confirmed information about possible damage to military or civilian facilities. Residents were urged to follow official warnings and not spread unverified information.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard stated that it had attacked US facilities in Bahrain. It said it had struck a storage depot for unmanned systems and an Artificial Intelligence centre. Initially, this information could not be independently verified. Bahrain confirmed that it had repelled an attack, but provided no information supporting Iran’s claims about targets that had been hit.

Earlier, the US military said it had attacked several locations in Iran during the seventh consecutive night. In previous statements, US Central Command CENTCOM had identified targets in similar operations as including radar, communications, air defence and drone infrastructure. Initially, there was no detailed, updated list of facilities attacked during this night.

Because US forces are stationed there, Bahrain has repeatedly been targeted by Iranian missile and drone attacks since the fighting began. The kingdom hosts facilities of the US Fifth Fleet. In recent months, Bahrain’s armed forces have repeatedly stated that they intercepted a large number of Iranian flying objects. However, information about individual attacks often comes from the parties to the conflict and can only be independently verified in part.

The latest escalation does not affect Bahrain alone. In recent days, Iranian attacks and US retaliatory measures have also affected other Gulf states and the waters around the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is a vital route for global energy trade. Each new clash therefore increases the risk of disruption to shipping, energy supplies and the safety of civilians in the region.

There are currently no signs of diplomatic progress to curb the violence. In assessing the latest attack, the key question will be whether Bahrain, the United States or independent bodies subsequently release specific information about strikes, damage or casualties. Until then, Bahrain’s confirmation that it intercepted the attack and the continuing reciprocal strikes between the US and Iran remain the focus of the current situation.