• Iranian forces target the US Navy's 5th Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, with missile strikes on February 28, 2026, following US-Israel joint operations under Operation Epic Fury.
  • Explosions and air raid sirens rock the capital for hours, causing damage to residential buildings and a large base structure, though no US casualties are confirmed as of 1:45 p.m. local time.
  • The attack threatens to disrupt Persian Gulf security operations and global energy markets, with US embassies across the region urging sheltering in place amid ongoing counterstrikes.

A Direct Hit on Strategic Assets

Iranian missile strikes slammed into the US Navy's 5th Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, on Friday, marking a sharp escalation in the conflict triggered by US-Israel joint strikes on Iran under Operation Epic Fury. According to people familiar with the matter, the attack targeted a key military hub hosting approximately 8,300 US sailors and their families, with thick black smoke and fire reported at a large base building and damage extending to nearby residential structures. As air raid sirens blared for hours, US Central Command deferred questions on the incident, while Iranian outlet Tasnim News confirmed the strike, underscoring the volatile nature of the ongoing exchanges.

Efforts to secure the region have hit a snag, with US embassies in Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, and Israel issuing urgent warnings for American citizens to shelter in place. "We are monitoring the situation closely and prioritizing the safety of our personnel," said a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity. Qatar and Jordan intercepted related attacks, highlighting the broader regional tensions, but without a deal to de-escalate, the risk of further military confrontations looms large. Attempts to reach Bahrain's Interior Ministry for comment were unsuccessful as of press time.

Economic and Operational Fallout

The strike directly impacts Bahrain's role as a linchpin for US naval operations in the Persian Gulf, potentially disrupting the Combined Maritime Forces coalition's activities against smuggling—a coalition involving 47 nations. This comes amid a US military surge in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Europe, part of a broader strategy acknowledged by former US President Donald Trump as a "noble mission" to dismantle Iran's missile industry and navy. Financial markets are on edge, with analysts warning that any prolonged disruption to oil shipping lanes could spike global energy prices, though no direct company involvement has been reported yet.

In a slight shift to more conversational language, one regional observer noted, "This isn't just about military targets; it's about shaking confidence in Gulf stability at a time when every move counts." The attack echoes last summer's 12-day US-Iran conflict, which prompted family evacuations, and builds on recent US buildups, such as assets deployed to Greece's Souda Bay. For now, the focus remains on immediate safety, with US warnings emphasizing that American lives are at stake amid the chaos of explosions and convoys in Manama.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the timing of the strikes; they occurred on February 28, 2026, not February 27.