IRGC Says Sheikh Isa Air Base Was Targeted
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has claimed responsibility for fresh attacks against military and communications facilities linked to the United States in Bahrain and Kuwait.
The IRGC said it targeted an area at Bahrain’s Sheikh Isa Air Base where American combat aircraft were allegedly stationed. Iranian state media reported the claim on Saturday, July 18, 2026.
The Iranian force did not immediately provide independently verifiable evidence showing the impact of the operation. Bahrain and the United States had also not confirmed the claimed damage when the initial reports emerged.
Sheikh Isa Air Base is an important military facility used by Bahrain’s armed forces. American military aircraft and personnel have also operated from the site as part of the United States’ wider regional security presence.
The IRGC has targeted the base during previous rounds of attacks. Iran has described such operations as retaliation for continued US military action against Iranian territory.
Iran Claims Attack on Bahrain Data Facility
Iranian state media also reported that the IRGC targeted what it described as an intelligence data centre associated with Batelco in Bahrain.
Batelco is a major telecommunications provider in the kingdom. However, Iran’s description of the targeted location as an intelligence facility has not been independently confirmed.
The IRGC did not immediately release clear information about the weapons used, the scale of the attack or whether the alleged target remained operational.
Air raid sirens sounded repeatedly in Bahrain as Iranian missile and drone attacks continued across the Gulf region. Authorities urged residents to follow official safety instructions and avoid spreading unverified information.
No immediate casualty figures were announced in connection with the reported attacks on Sheikh Isa Air Base or the Batelco-linked site.
The absence of independent verification means Iran’s statements remain military claims rather than confirmed battlefield assessments.
Al Ahmadi Port and Communications Centre Targeted in Kuwait
The IRGC also claimed it attacked a US naval fuel-support pier at Kuwait’s Al Ahmadi Port.
Iranian state media said the facility was used to support American naval operations in the Gulf. The Guards further claimed that they targeted a US signals and communications centre elsewhere in Kuwait.
The precise location of the alleged communications site was not immediately disclosed.
Al Ahmadi Port is located near important parts of Kuwait’s energy infrastructure. Any attack in the area could raise concerns about oil exports, maritime activity and the safety of industrial facilities.
Kuwaiti authorities have separately reported damage to vital infrastructure during Iranian attacks. A water desalination and power facility was struck, while Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said an oil installation suffered significant material damage and injuries.
However, it was not immediately clear whether those reported incidents were directly connected to the specific targets identified in the latest IRGC statement.
Kuwait also temporarily suspended operations at its international airport as Iranian missiles and drones threatened the country.
Regional Conflict Continues to Escalate
The Iranian claims came during a sharp escalation in fighting between Iran and the United States.
US forces carried out another night of strikes against Iranian military and logistical targets. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones towards countries hosting American forces.
Iran has warned Bahrain, Kuwait and other regional states that US military facilities located on their territories could face further attacks.
The IRGC said countries supporting American operations should expect what it described as a corresponding response.
Bahrain hosts the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, while Kuwait accommodates thousands of American troops and several military facilities.
These arrangements make both countries strategically important to Washington’s regional operations. They also increase their exposure when tensions between the United States and Iran intensify.
The latest Iranian claims remain unverified. Further confirmation is expected from Bahraini, Kuwaiti or US authorities regarding casualties, damage and operational disruption at the reported sites.
