Bahrain says intercepted multiple Iranian attacks

Bahrain on Tuesday said it intercepted several Iranian attacks on its territory, as fighting between Washington and Tehran escalated over the vital Strait of Hormuz.

"Air defence systems... intercepted and destroyed several treacherous aerial attacks launched by Iran this Tuesday morning," the Bahraini military said in a statement, also accusing Tehran of targeting civilians.

Iran said it had targeted the Gulf nation in retaliation for US attacks on Iranian territory, with the Revolutionary Guards earlier saying they had carried out missile and drone strikes on Bahrain.

Explosions were heard in the Bahraini capital, according to an AFP journalist, after warning sirens sounded for the third time since dawn.

Bahrain's defence ministry had warned on X that "sirens have been set off, we urge citizens and residents to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place".