U.S. Completes Strikes on Iranian Sites as IRGC Claims Drone Attack on Fifth Fleet Base

U.S. Central Command announced the completion of several 'self-defense strikes' against Iranian military infrastructure near the Strait of Hormuz. The operation, involving Air Force and Navy fighter jets, targeted ground control, surveillance radar, and air defense sites. Shortly after, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it launched Shahed-136 one-way attack drones at the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain. The IRGC framed the move as direct retaliation for the American strikes on Iran’s southern coast. In response to the drone activity, Bahraini authorities issued an air raid alert, though there has been no immediate confirmation of damage or casualties at the Fifth Fleet base. The military actions have centered on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy shipping. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized the U.S. for 'testing Iran’s resolve' and asserted that the Iranian armed forces would continue to respond to any perceived threats. Despite the kinetic exchange, President Donald Trump remains optimistic about a diplomatic resolution. The White House has characterized the current situation as two separate tracks—a 'military bucket' for immediate defense and a 'negotiation bucket' for long-term de-escalation. While President Trump suggested a peace deal could be signed within days, Vice President JD Vance offered a more conservative outlook, noting that negotiations could extend into next week or beyond.