MANAMA, BAHRAIN June 11, 2026 — In a major escalation of the 2026 Iran crisis, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed early Thursday to have launched drone and missile strikes targeting U.S. military assets in Bahrain, including the headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet.
The IRGC described the operation as direct retaliation for recent U.S. strikes on Iranian positions near the Strait of Hormuz, including areas in Jask, Sirik, and Qeshm Island. Iranian state media reported that the attacks hit infrastructure such as telecommunications facilities and water tanks in southern Iran.
Bahrain, a key U.S. ally hosting the Fifth Fleet’s central command at Naval Support Activity Bahrain in the Juffair district of Manama, activated air raid sirens following the reported strikes. Residents were urged to seek shelter as explosions and interceptor activity were reported in the area.
Video circulating on social media showed large explosions and defensive fire over Bahrain, though independent verification of damage levels remains limited. Some local accounts described the incident as alerts rather than confirmed direct impacts, while others reported civilian casualties and infrastructure damage in the capital.
The IRGC warned of “heavier retaliatory measures” if U.S. “aggression” continues, stating that clashes are ongoing. U.S. officials have not yet issued a full damage assessment, but the Pentagon has previously described its operations in the region as precision strikes in response to Iranian threats, including the downing of a U.S. Apache helicopter.
This marks one of the most direct Iranian attacks on a major U.S. military installation in the Gulf in recent history, raising fears of a broader regional war involving multiple Gulf states. Bahrain, home to thousands of U.S. personnel and allied forces, has been on high alert.
Oil prices spiked in early trading on concerns over potential disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies.
International reactions have been swift, with calls for de-escalation from various capitals. The incident comes amid the ongoing 2026 Iran conflict that has already drawn in strikes across the region.
Further updates are expected as U.S. Central Command and Bahraini authorities provide official statements.
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