US says it shot down two Iranian drones aimed at Bahrain, rejecting radar claim; Iran says LNG tanker hit mine

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Friday, 13 November 2026, that two attack drones launched by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) toward Bahrain had been shot down by US forces, disputing the IRGC's earlier claim that it had destroyed a US early-warning radar on the island.

"The IRGC launched two one-way attack drones toward Bahrain and both were shot down by US forces," CENTCOM said in a post on X, according to TASS and to Middle East Monitor, which cited the Anadolu news agency. "There were no injuries or damage," CENTCOM added.

The competing accounts

Earlier on Friday the IRGC said its Aerospace Force had "targeted and destroyed" a US early-warning radar in Bahrain, according to Al Jazeera, which cited the Fars news agency. The IRGC described the action as retaliation for an air strike on Thursday on a telecommunications tower in Sirik, a port town in Hormozgan province. Iran's state news agency IRNA reported that Sirik had been hit by "enemy" fire, Al Jazeera and Middle East Monitor reported.

Middle East Monitor reported that IRNA quoted the IRGC calling its strike "a serious warning to the aggressor enemy to cease its aerial provocations" and oil smuggling in the Strait of Hormuz. Al Jazeera reported that the CENTCOM statement did not refer to the strike on Sirik.

Neither account had been independently verified. No statement from the government of Bahrain was reported in the coverage reviewed for this story. Bahrain hosts the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet.

Comlumen reported earlier on Friday on the IRGC's claim, before CENTCOM's response.

Tanker in the Strait of Hormuz

Separately, the IRGC navy said on Friday that a tanker carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) had struck a naval mine and suffered an explosion in the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported, citing Iranian state media. The IRGC said the ship had used an "unauthorized and dangerous route".

TASS reported that the IRGC navy statement said the incident had happened "a few hours ago", that the vessel had ignored "repeated warnings", and that it had "attempted to transit under the cover of US fighter jets". The vessel's name, flag and the condition of its crew were not given, and the claim had not been independently confirmed. No statement from the United States or from shipping companies was reported in the coverage reviewed.

Reuters reported that Iranian media said on Thursday that four oil tankers had been hit by explosions in the strait after entering areas Iran considers restricted. Citing data from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Reuters reported that at least 10 ships were hit in the first 10 days of November, after 37 attacks in October, the highest monthly total since the conflict began in late February.

Background

The United States and Israel began military strikes on Iran on 28 February, according to Middle East Monitor. Reuters reported that attacks on shipping have continued despite a rebound in traffic through the strait and expectations of de-escalation, which have been reflected in falling oil prices. Al Jazeera reported that CENTCOM says it is continuing to enforce a naval blockade of Iranian ports.