Iran claims destroying US radar in Bahrain, CENTCOM denies

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said Friday it had destroyed a U.S. early-warning radar in Bahrain in retaliation for an attack on a communications tower in southern Iran, while U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) denied the claim, saying two IRGC drones were shot down.

The IRGC said in a statement that the strike was in retaliation for an airstrike by the "enemy" on a communications tower in Sirik County in southern Iran. It described the action as a "serious warning" to the enemy to end its "aerial mischief and oil smuggling" in the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC described the attack as the first known Iranian strike on a U.S. military site in the region in two months.

Iran's official news agency IRNA reported Thursday night that Sirik County had been attacked by the "enemy," saying the strike was military in nature but providing no further details.

CENTCOM said in a social media post on Friday that it denied the Iranian claim. It said the IRGC launched two drones toward Bahrain, both of which were shot down by U.S. forces, with no casualties or property damage reported.

Bahrain has not responded to requests for comment on the competing claims.

Also on Friday, the Iranian Army Navy said it had intercepted and hit a U.S. MQ-1 drone near Kouhestak in southern Iran. It said it would not hesitate to defend Iran's territorial integrity and national interests.

Iran claims destroying US radar in Bahrain, CENTCOM denies

European Union (EU) leaders agreed on Friday that EU institutions and the E5 group of the Coalition of the Willing would form Europe's team for negotiations on peace in Ukraine, European Council President Antonio Costa said.

Speaking after an informal EU leaders' meeting in Dublin, Costa said the European negotiating team would act in close coordination and unity, stressing that Europe must speak with "one clear and united voice" in discussions concerning Ukraine's future and European security.

He stressed that the EU has "a central role in discussing Ukraine's European future, its reconstruction and prosperity," and security guarantees for Ukraine should be discussed "within the framework of the Coalition of the Willing, in close coordination with NATO."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the agreement, saying the European team would include the European Council, the European Commission and the E5, including Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Poland.

"We decide on who represents us, and that's what we've done today," she said, adding that Europe wanted to safeguard its interests and support Ukraine in the negotiations.

On further assistance to Ukraine, Costa said EU leaders would discuss the country's financing needs for next year and beyond at the next European Council meeting on Nov. 26 to 27.

EU institutions, E5 to represent Europe in Ukraine peace talks