Strikes cast further doubt on peace talks between Tehran and Washington with increasing risk of escalation
Iran has launched drone attacks against a US military base in Bahrain, casting further doubt on peace talks between Tehran and Washington and raising the spectre of escalation.
Blasts sounded over the Gulf nation on Sunday in the second Iranian drone attack in three days in retaliation for US strikes in Iran.
Meanwhile, in Yemen, Iran’s Houthi allies advanced against pro-government forces in the south, opening a potential route to Aden. Iran also claimed that a mine sank an oil supertanker in the strait of Hormuz.
The developments deepened gloom about the chances of any diplomatic breakthrough in the region.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps said they launched six drones targeting a US air defence radar at the Al-Rifaa helicopter base in retaliation for “hostile US actions”. Authorities in Bahrain said air defences intercepted the drones before they reached their targets.
At a press conference in Tehran the foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, said Iran would continue to respond to any military aggression by the US or other states. Asked if the latest strikes indicated a change in Iranian direction as negotiations with the US have stalled, he said Iran was “not waiting for anyone” and was focused on its security.