Iran targets US military site in Gulf for first time in two months as hopes for a deal fade

Iran launched a series of attacks on a U.S. military site in Bahrain on Friday, marking the first time in over two months that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has targeted a military installation in a Gulf state. The IRGC claimed the attack was in retaliation for an alleged American attack on Iranian territory. However, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) later stated that American forces had shot down two Iranian drones launched toward Bahrain, with no injuries or damage reported.

Iranian officials described the IRGC's action as a "serious warning" to Washington. The U.S. has been striking Iranian targets around the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks, but Tehran has largely avoided attacking American military installations in Gulf states since early September. Meanwhile, Israeli intelligence chief Roman Gofman was in Washington, DC, on a visit that coincided with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's efforts to pressure the Trump administration into resuming war with Iran.

Netanyahu has reportedly considered a unilateral Israeli strike on Iran, but would require approval from U.S. President Donald Trump. Gofman was set to meet with CIA Director John Ratcliffe. The attack occurred just a day after Trump stated that the U.S. no longer needs a nuclear deal with Tehran and ordered Vice President JD Vance to focus on corruption and crime in Democratic states and cities.

Trump has maintained that economic pressure has been sufficient to weaken Iran, despite ongoing attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which reached a record high of 37 vessel attacks in October.