Bahrain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs today accused Iran of deploying multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to attack its territory. The ministry described these actions as "a serious violation of sovereignty and international law", endangering civilians and undermining efforts to de-escalate regional tensions. Several UAVs targeted Bahrain, according to the ministry, which did not specify the exact objectives. Bahrain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also criticized Iran for "undermining peace efforts". Iranian officials have not yet commented on the accusations.

US armored vehicles conduct anti-UAV drills in Bahrain on 26/1. *US Navy*

This accusation emerges amidst heightened tensions between the United States and Iran. On 26/6, US Central Command (CENTCOM), responsible for US military operations in the Middle East, announced it had attacked Iranian missile, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and coastal radar facilities. This strike responded to Tehran's alleged use of a suicide UAV to attack the commercial vessel Ever Lovely in the Hormuz Strait a day earlier. CENTCOM affirmed the operation was an appropriate response to "unprovoked aggression against commercial maritime activity".

Tehran has not yet claimed responsibility for the attack on the Ever Lovely. Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the US airstrikes targeted several surveillance facilities along its southern coast, a violation of the United Nations Charter and ceasefire agreements.

Location of Bahrain, Iran, and the Hormuz Strait. *Guardian*

Subsequently, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it had launched retaliatory attacks against "targets related to US forces", without specifying locations. Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on Gulf nations "not to allow their territory to be used for hostile actions". It also urged the United Nations and international organizations to address the "violations of law" by the United States.

The IRGC had previously demanded that vessels navigate the Hormuz Strait according to routes it specified, warning that violating vessels would face consequences. The IRGC also mentioned "some authorities announcing new transit lanes in the Hormuz Strait", deeming this unacceptable.

By Thanh Danh (According to Al Jazeera, AFP)