Iran launched ballistic missiles on Saturday targeting the headquarters of the United States Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, in what Tehran described as a retaliatory response to the joint military campaign conducted by the United States and Israel.
According to reports from Iran’s semi-official news agencies Tasnim and Fars, the missile barrage formed part of a broader counteroffensive following recent coordinated strikes by Washington and Tel Aviv against Iranian targets. Iranian media outlets published videos appearing to show thick plumes of smoke rising from the vicinity of the naval installation.
The facility reportedly struck houses the command of the U.S. Fifth Fleet and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, both based in Manama, Bahrain. The base represents one of Washington’s most strategically significant military assets in the Persian Gulf region.
Tasnim reported that the strike was carried out during a wide ballistic missile salvo directed at American military infrastructure in the region. Bahrain’s News Agency stated that a service center linked to the Fifth Fleet was also targeted.
Regional fallout was immediate. A senior Qatari official confirmed that two Iranian missiles were intercepted over Qatari territory. Meanwhile, reports indicated explosions in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Air-raid sirens were activated in both Jordan and Bahrain.
Bahrain’s Interior Ministry issued a public advisory urging citizens and residents to remain calm and proceed to the nearest safe location following the nationwide activation of warning sirens. Authorities also called on the public to limit the use of major roadways to cases of absolute necessity, citing public safety and the need to facilitate emergency response operations.
Bahrain is a longstanding U.S. ally in the Gulf and hosts a permanent American naval presence. The Fifth Fleet plays a central role in overseeing maritime security operations across the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean.
The strike marks a significant escalation in regional tensions following the U.S.–Israel joint military operation against Iran. Tehran has stated that further retaliatory measures remain possible, while governments across the region are closely monitoring developments amid fears of broader confrontation.
