On Saturday, Iranian missiles hit the service center of the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. This happened after the U.S. and Israel launched a significant military attack on Iran, leading to retaliatory strikes throughout the Middle East. The attacks generated thick black smoke above the fleet's headquarters in Manama and forced American military families and diplomats in the region to seek shelter.
This exchange of fire represents the most serious military confrontation between the U.S. and Iran in decades, putting American naval and air bases in the Persian Gulf at great risk. The situation could lead to major consequences for global maritime operations and energy supply lines through the region's critical routes.
The joint U.S.-Israeli operation began around 09:30 Tehran time (06:00 GMT) on Saturday, focusing on sites associated with Iran's leadership. In an eight-minute video posted on Truth Social, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. had launched a significant military operation in Iran, aiming to prevent the country from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Trump stated, “I do not make this statement lightly: the Iranian regime seeks to kill.” He described the Iranian leadership as “hard, terrible people” and acknowledged that “the lives of courageous American heroes may be lost.” He emphasized that this mission, though difficult, is about ensuring a safer future.
The strikes followed weeks of increased U.S. military presence in the region while negotiations over Iran's nuclear program stalled.
In a statement, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced it was targeting U.S. bases and assets in the region as part of their operation named “Truthful Promise 4.” Bahrain's National Communication Centre confirmed that the Fifth Fleet service center was hit by missile and drone attacks, calling the strikes a “blatant violation of Bahrain's sovereignty and security.”
Large plumes of black smoke, likely from a fuel storage area, were seen near the Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama. However, the extent of the damage remains unclear, and the U.S. has not provided any comments. Naval Support Activity Bahrain, the official name of the base, is the Navy's primary hub in the Middle East, supporting ships and providing logistical assistance. Those ships departed the base late last week.
Bahrain hosts the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the Fifth Fleet. It is also one of the few locations where military families live alongside service members. Last week, the Department of Defense reduced staff in Bahrain and issued an evacuation notice for military dependents, although departures are not mandatory. Reports indicate that as of 2 p.m. on Saturday in Manama, flights for departures were paused, and Navy officials were instructing personnel to stay in shelter.
The Iranian retaliatory strikes were not limited to Bahrain, as the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, and Kuwait, all hosting U.S. military bases, reported intercepting Iranian missiles aimed at their territories.
The UAE's defense ministry reported “a blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles,” stating that its air defense systems intercepted several missiles effectively. Yet, debris from the interceptions fell in a residential area in Abu Dhabi, causing significant damage and resulting in one civilian casualty.
Approximately 13 U.S. military bases are located across the Middle East, with around 30,000 to 40,000 troops stationed there. Air raid sirens sounded in Israel, and the Israeli military reported numerous missile launches from Iran, stating that its air force was working to intercept them.
Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, condemned the U.S.-Israeli attack as “wholly unprovoked, illegal, and illegitimate,” asserting that Iran's armed forces are ready to respond to such aggression.
Saudi Arabia condemned what it termed “blatant Iranian aggression” against Bahrain, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed full support for the affected countries and promised to mobilize resources to assist them. Riyadh called on the international community to denounce these attacks and take strong actions against Iranian violations.
The government of Bahrain affirmed its right to respond and take necessary measures to safeguard its national security, coordinating efforts with its allies. Local security and military agencies immediately initiated emergency protocols.
U.S. embassies in Bahrain, Qatar, and Israel issued emergency alerts on Saturday, advising American citizens to stay indoors with supplies of food, water, and medicine. The U.S. Embassy in Bahrain stated it was “implementing a shelter-in-place order for all personnel. We recommend all Americans do the same until further notice,” urging them to find secure locations in their homes or safe buildings.
In his video address, Trump also warned Iranian civilians that “bombs will be dropping everywhere” and advised them to stay at home. He encouraged them to “take over your government” after the conflict, indicating this could be a rare opportunity for them.
Details are still uncertain as the situation unfolds. The extent of damage to the U.S. base in Bahrain is not yet known, and there have been no confirmed reports of American military casualties. The total number of missiles fired by Iran and how many were successfully intercepted remains unverified. This is an ongoing story, and updates will follow as more information comes in.