In Shorts
• Missile attack reported near US Navy Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain
• Iran launches retaliatory strikes after US-Israel military operation
• Explosions in Manama fuel fears of wider Middle East conflict
The United States naval presence in the Gulf region came under renewed threat after a reported missile attack targeted facilities associated with the United States Navy Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain on February 28, 2026.
Authorities in Bahrain confirmed that a missile strike had hit a service centre connected to the fleet’s headquarters. However, officials did not immediately release details regarding casualties or the extent of damage caused by the attack.
The strike comes shortly after the United States and Israel conducted joint military operations inside Iran. In response, Tehran launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks targeting American military installations across the Persian Gulf region, including locations in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
Explosions were reported in the Bahraini capital Manama, with several videos circulating online showing plumes of smoke rising near the naval base. According to reports, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for targeting multiple US military sites in the region as part of its counter offensive.
The naval facility, known as Naval Support Activity Bahrain, serves as a critical logistics and operational hub for US Naval Forces Central Command. It has long been regarded as a strategic base supporting maritime security missions in the Middle East.
Regional security has been placed on high alert following the attack. Air defence systems were activated in several Gulf nations as fears grow over a broader military escalation in the already volatile Middle East. Iran has warned that American military personnel and installations across the region could be considered legitimate targets if hostilities continue.
The situation remains fluid, with global leaders urging restraint as tensions between Washington and Tehran threaten to widen the scope of conflict across the Gulf.
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