Reports confirm that Iranian missiles struck a key US naval installation in Bahrain on February 28, 2026, as part of an escalating conflict in the Middle East. Bahrain state media and multiple international news outlets described the incident as a direct retaliation to joint US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets.
The US Navy Fifth Fleet service center and headquarters in Bahrain, located in the Juffair area near Manama, came under missile attack, according to the Bahrain News Agency. Smoke was visible in the area housing the base, and emergency sirens sounded across parts of the country. Bahrain authorities urged residents to seek shelter. Iran state media also claimed responsibility for strikes on US bases in the region.
No details have emerged on casualties or the extent of damage at the Bahrain facility. US officials have not issued independent confirmation or assessments of the strike as of the latest available information.
The Bahrain base serves as the permanent headquarters for the US Fifth Fleet, which oversees naval operations across the Middle East. It is a naval support facility rather than a dedicated airbase.
President Donald Trump announced that US forces had launched major combat operations against Iran, which he described as Operation Epic Fury. In a video statement, Trump said the goal was to eliminate threats from the Iranian regime, destroy its missile capabilities and navy, and prevent nuclear weapons development. He warned that American lives could be lost in the campaign but made no specific reference to the reported strike on the Bahrain base.
No public comments or statements from the Pentagon or White House have addressed the Bahrain incident directly. US embassies in the region have issued shelter-in-place advisories and other safety alerts for American personnel and citizens.
Reports also indicate activity near other US military sites. Explosions occurred in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, where the US Air Force operates Al-Dhafra Air Base, prompting the UAE to close its airspace. In Qatar, which hosts the large Al Udeid Air Base, authorities intercepted two Iranian missiles, and some US personnel have been evacuated from the facility as a precaution. No confirmed strikes on those locations have been detailed in official US statements.
The situation remains fluid with ongoing developments. This marks a significant escalation following weeks of US military buildup in the region. Further updates will depend on official confirmations and assessments from US authorities.
