World
Bahrain Blasts Iran’s Air Attacks on Riffa Base as Violation of Sovereignty
Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned what it called a “resumption of Iran’s aggression” after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched air attacks on the kingdom’s Riffa Air Base on Sunday. The ministry said the strikes violated international law and that no pretext could justify a breach of state sovereignty. Bahrain also rejected the use of its territory to settle scores and held Iran fully responsible for the attacks and their consequences.
Bahrain’s military reported that its defence systems intercepted several Iranian aerial attacks targeting the kingdom. The Riffa Air Base is used by the United States military. The IRGC has not commented on the incident. Earlier on Friday, the IRGC said it had attacked and destroyed a U.S. early‑warning radar facility in Bahrain, and Bahrain said it intercepted two drones that day.
Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar, reporting from Tehran, noted that Iran had held back amid intermittent U.S. attacks in recent weeks, but in the past three days it had fired twice at Bahrain. He said U.S. low‑intensity warfare had been conducted against Iran, including attacks on Iranian military assets such as telecommunications towers in the south, and that the situation seemed to have changed.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei defended Tehran’s attacks and accused Gulf countries of aiding U.S. strikes against Iran. He said that missiles, drones and aircraft launched from military bases in neighbouring countries, as well as logistical support provided to U.S. forces, proved the involvement of those nations. Baghaei charged that the region’s countries were responsible for the consequences of U.S. and Israeli military aggression against Iran and that Iran’s attacks were justified under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter as defensive actions against U.S. military bases and assets used to attack Iran.
Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates posted on X that it condemned Iran’s attacks on Bahrain as a flagrant violation of sovereignty and a threat to the kingdom’s security, stability and territorial integrity. Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its categorical rejection of attacks threatening regional stability, adding that the security of Bahrain and the Gulf states is closely linked to Egyptian national security and is one of the pillars of Arab national security.
Frequently asked questions
What did Bahrain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs say about the air attacks?
It condemned the attacks as a resumption of Iran’s aggression, said they violated international law and that no pretext could justify a breach of state sovereignty.
What happened at Bahrain's Riffa Air Base during the attacks?
The IRGC launched air attacks on the base; Bahrain's defense systems intercepted several Iranian aerial attacks; the base is used by the United States military.
What was the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman's response to the attacks?
He defended Tehran’s attacks, accused Gulf countries of aiding U.S. strikes, and said the attacks were justified under Article 51 of the UN Charter as defensive actions against U.S. bases and assets used to attack Iran.