Missiles have reportedly struck sites in Bahrain, home to the United States Navy’s Fifth Fleet, in a dramatic escalation following joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran.
The latest developments have intensified fears that the confrontation between Iran and its adversaries, the United States and Israel, could spiral into a broader regional war after strikes hit Tehran earlier in the day.
Fresh airstrikes have now been reported in several countries across the Gulf region, including the US-allied island kingdom of Bahrain. Authorities in Bahrain said a missile attack targeted the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in the capital, Manama, though the extent of the damage has not yet been independently confirmed. A towering column of smoke was seen rising above Manama after explosions were heard across the city.
The Fifth Fleet, based at Mina Salman in Bahrain, oversees US naval operations throughout the Middle East and the Gulf region. US officials have said infrastructure in Bahrain was damaged, but it remains unclear whether the naval base itself was directly hit. According to NBC News, no American casualties have been reported so far.
Amid the rapidly escalating crisis, the UK Foreign Office issued an urgent warning to British nationals in the Gulf, advising them to take immediate precautions.
It said: “Due to reported missile attacks, British nationals in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and United Arab Emirates should immediately shelter in place. Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities.”
Airspace closures have since been announced across several Gulf states and Iraq. The United Arab Emirates, including Dubai, has suspended flights as authorities move to secure their airspace in response to the unfolding situation. Reports suggest Iran is retaliating against multiple US military sites in the region, according to a US official.
