Researchers cited by Reuters have concluded that a US-operated Patriot air defense missile, not an Iranian drone, caused the powerful explosion in Bahrain during the tenth day of the Iran war. The blast occurred in the Mahazza area of Sitra Island on March 9, injuring 32 people including children and destroying several homes. Both Bahrain and the United States had initially blamed an Iranian drone for the incident, with US Central Command claiming the drone struck a residential area.

In response to Reuters’ inquiry, the Bahraini government on Saturday acknowledged for the first time that the explosion resulted from an interceptor missile fired by a Patriot battery. However, a government spokesperson maintained that the missile had successfully destroyed an Iranian drone midair, preventing greater loss of life. The spokesperson added that injuries and damage were caused by debris falling from the aerial collision, not by a direct ground impact.

Neither Bahrain nor Washington has provided evidence proving that an Iranian drone was involved in the Mahazza explosion.