IRGC strikes US air defense systems in Bahrain

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Tuesday that it had destroyed a U.S. air defense system and a radar in Muharraq, Bahrain, and struck a Patriot air defense battery in Riffa in a combined missile and drone attack. The strikes, described as the 24th wave of "Operation Nasr 2," were launched to "punish the child-killing American army for disrupting the security of the Strait of Hormuz and attacking parts of our dear homeland," according to the IRGC's public relations office.

The IRGC stated that the destruction of the radar and air defense systems was intended to "pave the way for a larger future operation and remove obstacles to the precise targeting of objectives." The statement added, "Punishment of the aggressor continues," addressing the Iranian people.

This operation marks a significant escalation in the region, as it directly targets U.S. military assets in Bahrain, a key ally of the United States in the Persian Gulf. The IRGC's actions are framed as retaliation for U.S. interference in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime chokepoint for global oil shipments, and for alleged attacks on Iranian territory.

According to Mehr News Agency (MNA), the IRGC's announcement did not provide details on casualties or the extent of damage. The report by MNA added that the operation is part of ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States, which have included previous exchanges of fire and cyberattacks.