Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed it destroyed a US radar system at an airbase in Bahrain using six drones, a statement that Bahraini officials have denied, saying the attack was intercepted.
Claimed Attack on Al-Riffa Base
The IRGC said its drones targeted the US air defence radar system at the Al-Riffa helicopter base in Bahrain. The claim was carried by the semi-official Fars news agency on Telegram, which posted an IRGC statement: “The US air defence radar system at the Al-Riffa helicopter base in Bahrain was targeted by six drones belonging to the IRGC Aerospace Force.”
Al-Riffa is a main hub for Bahrain's military helicopter fleet and is understood to use a US air defence radar system.
Bahrain's Denial and Response
Bahrain's military denied the IRGC's claim, stating that its air defence systems had intercepted and destroyed the drones. In a statement posted on X, the General Command of the Bahraini Defence Force said: "The General Command of the Bahraini Defence Force announces that Iran is continuing its systematic approach through its sinister attacks targeting the Kingdom of Bahrain."
The statement continued: "The General Command clarifies that with strong will and high combat readiness, the air defense systems with Bahrain's defense force attacked, intercepted and destroyed a number of treacherous Iranian air strikes today, Sunday, November 15, 2026 AD before achieving their targets." It added that all weapons and units are at the highest readiness to protect the kingdom.
Context of Trump's Claims
The claimed attack comes after US President Donald Trump said the conflict with Iran was "militarily effectively over," asserting that Iran had been "decapitated" and that there would be no need to restart bombardments because the country had been devastated.
Oil prices have dropped over the past week amid expectations of easing tensions, but the claimed attack, if confirmed, would indicate Iran is still capable of continuing the war. Trump's comments followed heavy losses for the Republicans in the US midterm elections, where inflation linked to the conflict appears to have cost the party dearly.
Throughout the conflict, Trump has repeatedly said he is on the verge of ordering US forces to escalate attacks if Iran's leaders do not quickly agree to US terms to end the war, only to back down. In earlier cycles, he has also edged away with last-minute declarations, sometimes at the behest of Gulf allies, that he would give diplomacy more time.
