Iran Claims Strike on US Radar in Bahrain: What We Know So Far
Iran's Revolutionary Guard says it hit a US early-warning radar in Bahrain after an attack on a telecom tower in Sirik, the first such claim since September.
Image: Wikimedia Commons / U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Dan Lapierre.
MANAMA, Bahrain — Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Friday, November 13, that its aerospace force targeted and destroyed a United States early-warning radar in Bahrain, in what it described as retaliation for an attack on a telecommunications tower in the Iranian port city of Sirik.
It is the first such claim since early September. President Donald Trump has since responded, saying Gulf allies asked him to hold off further large-scale strikes. Neither Washington nor Manama has confirmed or denied damage at the radar site, and the strike has not been independently verified.
Key Takeaways
- Iran's Revolutionary Guard says its aerospace force "targeted and destroyed" a US early-warning radar on Bahrain, hours after an attack on a telecom tower in Sirik.
- The claim is the first of its kind since early September, in a war that began on February 28.
- Bahrain hosts the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet; US radar sites there were hit in the war's first days.
- Trump says Gulf allies asked him to hold off further strikes; neither government has confirmed or denied damage.
Did Iran Destroy a US Radar in Bahrain? What the Claim Says
The Guard's statement said its fighters "targeted and destroyed the American aggressors' early-warning radar on the island of Bahrain a few hours ago," calling the operation "a serious warning" and saying the force "stands in full readiness to engage without limits."
The Guard gave no details of the weapons used or of any damage. US radar sites in Bahrain were hit before, in the war's first days.
Trump responded in an interview on Friday, saying Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Gulf countries had asked him to hold off further large-scale attacks. He said he had held off striking Iran's power plants, bridges and industrial facilities at their request, claiming US forces could disable all three within three days, and that he would not hesitate to use force again.
Why Iran Says It Struck Bahrain After the Sirik Attack
Iran's state news agency reported on Thursday that Sirik, in Hormozgan province on the Strait of Hormuz, had been hit in what officials called an "enemy attack." It did not name the attacker or give casualty or damage details, and the United States has not claimed the strike.
The claim came amid a fragile lull in a conflict that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, in which Iran has attacked US bases in Gulf states and sought to restrict shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports. It also lands days after President Donald Trump pulled Vice President JD Vance from Iran talks.
What the Bahrain Radar Claim Means for Oil and the Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz carries a large share of the world's seaborne oil, and any threat to shipping through it moves energy prices. The Guard tied the operation to what it called oil smuggling in the waterway. Attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure pushed oil prices higher earlier this week.
| Date | Development |
|---|---|
| Feb. 28, 2026 | US and Israeli strikes on Iran open the war |
| Nov. 12, 2026 | Telecom tower in Sirik hit in reported "enemy attack" |
| Nov. 13, 2026 | Guard claims it struck a US early-warning radar in Bahrain |
| Nov. 13, 2026 | Trump says Gulf allies asked him to hold off strikes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Iran really destroy a US radar in Bahrain?
Only Iran has said so. The Guard claims it destroyed a US early-warning radar in Bahrain, but it gave no evidence and there is no independent verification.
Why did Iran say it attacked the US radar in Bahrain?
The Guard said the strike was retaliation for an attack on a telecom tower in Sirik, reported by state media on Thursday. Iran did not say who it believes carried out that attack.
Where is the US Fifth Fleet based in Bahrain?
The US Navy's Fifth Fleet is headquartered at Naval Support Activity Bahrain in Manama. The base hosts US naval forces across the Middle East.
Will the United States strike Iran again after the Bahrain radar claim?
President Donald Trump said he would not hesitate to renew strikes on Iran, but Gulf allies had asked him to hold off further large-scale attacks. No new US military action has been announced.
Bahrain has not commented publicly. The next signal is whether Washington or Manama confirms or denies damage at the radar site.
