Bahrain says Iranian drones targeted its territory, urges UN action

MANAMA: Bahrain said on Saturday that Iranian drones had struck its territory, describing the incident as a serious breach of its sovereignty and international law.

In a statement carried by the Bahrain News Agency, the Bahraini Foreign Ministry said the attack involved a number of Iranian drones. It did not specify where the drones hit or what was targeted, but said the incident took place early in the day, put civilian lives at risk and harmed efforts to reduce tensions in the region.

The ministry also said Manama retained its full right to defend its sovereignty and called on the United Nations Security Council to hold Tehran responsible. Bahrain described the attack as "a blatant violation" of its sovereignty and international law.

The announcement came hours after the United States said its forces had struck Iranian missile, drone and radar sites late on Friday, accusing Tehran of attacking a commercial vessel passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Later, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its naval forces had hit US military positions across the region in retaliation for American strikes on southern Iran, and warned of a stronger response if the escalation continued.

The developments unfolded despite the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding reached between Tehran and Washington through Pakistani mediation. The arrangement took effect on June 18 after it was electronically signed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump.