The Bahraini military announced on Saturday that it successfully intercepted three ballistic missiles along with several attack drones launched from Iran. Local authorities condemned the assault as a “criminal” and “systematic hostile campaign” aimed at civilian infrastructure within the kingdom.
The missile and drone attacks triggered air raid sirens across Bahrain, significantly raising regional anxieties and placing further strain on the fragile ceasefire brokered amid ongoing conflicts involving Iran and international powers.
The Bahraini Defence Force’s general command stated that the intercepted weapons targeted civilian facilities, describing the strikes as a “flagrant violation of international law.” This incident forms part of a broader escalation in the Gulf region.
Notably, the attacks coincided with a series of aerial strikes carried out by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards across the Gulf, which also included assaults on neighboring Kuwait. Residents in Manama were urged to seek immediate shelter as air defenses engaged the incoming threats over the weekend.
While Bahrain confirmed the interception of three missiles on its territory, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported assisting regional allies by intercepting six out of seven ballistic missiles fired toward both Bahrain and Kuwait. The US military, which operates its Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, dismissed Iranian state media claims alleging significant damage to the American naval facility.
In a significant development, the Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the “blatant aggression” and warned Tehran not to mistake Bahrain’s restraint for weakness, underscoring that safeguarding national sovereignty remains a firm red line. Kuwait’s foreign ministry echoed these concerns, describing the simultaneous strikes as a serious escalation that jeopardizes the delicate peace process.
The renewed hostilities come at a critical moment as negotiators work to extend a tentative two-month-old ceasefire by an additional 60 days. The recent exchange of fire, following US strikes on Iranian radar installations near the Strait of Hormuz, underscores the extreme volatility of the security environment and the formidable challenges facing international efforts to achieve a lasting diplomatic resolution.
