Saudi Arabia reports missile and drone interceptions near Riyadh and its Eastern Region as Bahrain faces fresh aerial threats and Iran claims strike on US military base…reports Asian Lite News Desk
Bahrain’s air defences intercepted several Iranian aerial attacks on Sunday, as fresh security alerts and reported missile and drone interceptions in Saudi Arabia heightened concerns over a renewed escalation across the Gulf.
The developments came after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it had launched six drones against a US air-defence radar installation at Al-Rifaa helicopter base in Bahrain, which hosts American military personnel.
Bahrain’s Interior Ministry issued two alerts warning of potential threats, urging citizens and residents to remain calm and move to the nearest safe location. The warnings were the country’s first such nationwide alerts since September.
The IRGC, through Iranian state media, described the operation as retaliation for what Tehran called hostile US actions. However, neither Washington nor Manama immediately confirmed that the claimed attack had damaged the radar installation.
Bahrain’s military subsequently said its air-defence systems had intercepted and destroyed several Iranian aerial attacks.
The latest incident follows another confrontation on Friday, when Iran claimed to have destroyed a US early-warning radar facility in Bahrain. The US military rejected the claim, saying American forces had intercepted two Iranian attack drones heading towards the kingdom, with no injuries or damage reported.
Saudi Arabia reports missile interceptions
The security situation has also drawn attention to Saudi Arabia, where the Saudi-led coalition said its air defences intercepted two ballistic missiles launched towards Riyadh.
Two drones were also intercepted and destroyed in the kingdom’s Eastern Region, according to reports carried by Saudi media.
The missiles and drones were attributed to Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement, rather than directly to Iran. The latest incidents highlight the risk of the wider regional conflict involving multiple armed actors and countries.
Saudi Arabia has faced repeated threats from Houthi missile and drone operations during the conflict, with Riyadh and strategically important areas among the reported targets.
Strait of Hormuz shipping concerns
Maritime security has also come under renewed scrutiny following claims by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Navy that two oil tankers struck naval mines and caught fire while attempting to navigate waters south of the Strait of Hormuz.
The IRGC alleged that the vessels had used an unauthorised shipping route and switched off their tracking systems. It also claimed that two other tankers turned back after receiving warnings.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical international shipping route, carrying a substantial share of global oil and gas supplies. Any further disruption could have significant consequences for energy markets and maritime trade.
