Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Wednesday they had launched a drone strike on a US military base in Bahrain in response to American attacks on targets in southern Iran, marking a sharp escalation in tensions between the two countries.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it targeted the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in Bahrain after US forces struck locations in Jask, Sirik and Qeshm earlier in the day.

"The warmongering US regime attacked several points in Jask, Sirik and Qeshm early this morning under false pretexts," the Guards said in a statement carried by Iranian media. Tehran claimed the strikes damaged civilian infrastructure, including a telecommunications facility in Sirik and water storage tanks in Qeshm.

Describing the attack on Bahrain as retaliation, the IRGC said its naval forces carried out a drone strike on the US facility at around 2:30 a.m. local time. The statement warned of "heavier responses" if American attacks continue.

The Iranian claim came hours after the US military said it had conducted strikes on Iranian targets following the downing of an American Army helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz.

US Central Command said the operation was "a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression." President Donald Trump accused Iran of shooting down the helicopter while it was on patrol over the strategic waterway and said the United States "must, of necessity, respond to this attack."

Soon after Iran vowed retaliation. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iranian forces "will leave no attack or threat unanswered" and warned foreign military forces operating near Iranian territory that they remain at risk.

There was no immediate confirmation from US or Bahraini authorities regarding the Iranian claim. The extent of any damage or casualties was not immediately known.

With AFP inputs