DRONES carrying explosives targeted a city in northern Iraq where United States forces are stationed and sirens rang out in Bahrain today.

The attack came hours after the US military said it finished its 13th night of strikes against Iran.

The conflict has intensified over the past week, as the US pounded Iran while Tehran attacked ships in the Strait of Hormuz and targeted US assets and allies in the region.

The strait, which is a crucial passage for the world’s energy supplies, is at the centre of the latest fighting since Iranian attacks can effectively shut the waterway, sending fuel prices soaring worldwide and causing widespread economic turmoil.

The Houthi-led Yemeni government added further pressure this week by targeting two Saudi tankers in the Red Sea, making good on a threat to cut off an alternative route for the region’s oil.

Iran’s Health Ministry said 55 people have been killed and over 600 wounded in strikes in recent weeks.

US-led forces intercepted and shot down five explosive-laden drones over Irbil this morning, according to security officials in northern Iraq. “Fortunately, the incident caused no casualties or damage,” they said.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps urged people in neighbouring countries to stay away from bases with US troops while asking people to report the places where they are stationed, according to a statement read out on TV.

As the US has bombed Iran, so Tehran has targeted several countries in the region that host US troops.

Bahrain, which is home to the US Navy’s 5th Fleet, said it intercepted and shot down Iranian aerial attacks on today. It did not say if there were any casualties or damage.

US strikes overnight hit a naval base for the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard in the north of Iran, the Fars and ISNA news outlets reported this morning.

Blasts from US bombardment overnight were also reported on Iran’s Qeshm Island, a base for naval assets including drone boats that Iran can use to attack vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as in Isfahan province, home to a major Iranian air base and one of Iran’s nuclear sites.

More strikes reportedly hit Iran’s south-west Khuzestan province and southern Fars province.

US Central Command said the latest barrage was designed to “further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters” as the US pushes for control of the Strait of Hormuz.