Iran Strikes Bahrain Radar Dome Days Before US Deal

An Iranian air attack targeted Bahrain's highest point, the radar station on Jabal ad Dukhan, on June 11, 2026. Iranian media reported the strike on the strategic observation post, known as the "Mountain of Smoke," which is crucial for regional military monitoring.

The radar station, located on a hill over 130 meters high, is topped by a weather protection dome approximately 20 meters in diameter. While the specific radar system beneath the dome remains unclear, Iranian sources suggest it could be an AR-327 or a TPS-59. Bahrain acquired the TPS-59, capable of detecting ballistic missiles with a range of 740 kilometers, from Lockheed Martin in 2007.

Visual evidence of the alleged drone attack is scarce. Iranian media released satellite images purportedly showing the radar dome before and after the strike, highlighting a white dome and an adjacent angled roof. However, obtaining high-resolution satellite imagery has become difficult since early March due to self-censorship by U.S. providers and restricted releases by European companies like Airbus, at the request of the U.S. government.

This incident occurred just days before a potential agreement between the United States and Iran, adding another layer of complexity to the geopolitical situation in the Persian Gulf. The attack on a key surveillance asset could undermine American air traffic control capabilities in the region.