The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on November 13, 2026, that it had destroyed a U.S. military radar system in Bahrain as retaliation for an American airstrike on a telecommunications tower in Sirik, Iran. The IRGC stated that its aerospace forces targeted and disabled the early-warning radar, warning the United States to cease aggressive actions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Recent U.S. airstrikes near the strait were described as “defensive” but have heightened tensions. In October, nearly three dozen tankers were attacked in the strategic waterway, with Iran claiming it closed the strait while the U.S. maintained a southern route for commercial vessels. The situation escalated further after U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew Vice President J.D. Vance from talks with Iran, rejecting any potential deal and boasting of U.S. gains.
Iran demands the removal of sanctions, unfreezing of assets, and war reparations to reopen the strait and restart nuclear negotiations. However, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed these terms as unrealistic. Post-midterm elections, Trump signaled a cautious approach, avoiding immediate military escalation but keeping the naval blockade in place.
Iran’s military chief warned that any U.S. or Israeli miscalculations would face “devastating strikes,” emphasizing that recent actions were just the beginning. The ongoing tensions highlight the volatile situation in the region.