Bahrain downs 61 missiles, 34 dronesas GCC condemns attack

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s air defence systems shot down 61 missiles and 34 drones yesterday as Iran launched a renewed wave of retaliatory strikes across the Gulf, with explosions reported in Dubai and Doha for a second consecutive day.

The General Command of the Bahrain Defence Force confirmed that the Kingdom had successfully intercepted hostile Iranian attacks, including Shahed-136 drones. It said the air defence systems remain fully operational and at the highest state of readiness to address any threats to national security.

The Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) added that its advanced defence units efficiently countered the threats, destroying the missiles and drones before they could reach their targets.

The General Command further noted that the use of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles to target civilian infrastructure and private property constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law, particularly the principles of distinction and proportionality. It said such indiscriminate and unlawful attacks pose a direct threat to regional peace and security. The Kingdom reaffirmed its legitimate right to take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty and protect its people.

Residents and citizens were urged to exercise the utmost caution and vigilance, remain indoors, and venture outside only in cases of absolute necessity in order to safeguard public safety.

The Ministry of Interior announced that the Iranian strike targeted the Crowne Plaza Bahrain hotel in the capital, Manama, and a maritime facility near Salman Port. It added that Civil Defence teams are carrying out operations to contain and extinguish the fire.

Meanwhile, The United States said it had destroyed the headquarters of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard Corps, while also confirming the first US fatalities in the campaign aimed at toppling the Iranian government. US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the destruction in a statement on X, accompanied by video showing missiles launched from a US Navy ship striking an urban compound. As missiles continued to rain down on Tehran, President Donald Trump said the war could last up to a month, telling the Daily Mail that “it’s always been a four-week process.”

Oman’s foreign minister, who mediated recent talks, said the “door to diplomacy remains open” even after the US and Israel launched a massive military campaign against the Islamic Republic.

“I want to be very clear — the door to diplomacy remains open,” Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said on X.