Iranian strikes leave key US naval base in Bahrain devastated

Washington: Iran’s repeated attacks have inflicted extensive damage on the U.S. Navy’s key base in Bahrain, raising questions over whether the facility can be restored or whether Washington will need to shift its military presence elsewhere in the region. The damage has reportedly been severe enough to disrupt the base’s role as a crucial logistics centre for American naval operations.

Naval Support Activity Bahrain, near Manama, hosts U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the U.S. Fifth Fleet and serves as a major support and logistics hub for American forces across the Middle East. Reports based on satellite imagery and U.S. officials indicate that the facility suffered significant damage during Iranian strikes.

Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao has acknowledged the scale of the destruction, while a task force has been formed to examine the facility's future, including the possibility of rebuilding it or adopting alternative arrangements. Reports have estimated reconstruction costs at roughly $400 million.

The Navy’s top uniformed officer, Adm. Daryl Caudle, has indicated that American personnel are unlikely to return to the Bahrain installation anytime soon because of the damage. The disruption has also affected naval logistics, including support for ships operating in the region.

Meanwhile, Iranian attacks have also damaged U.S. military aircraft at Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Air Base. One A-10 Thunderbolt reportedly lost a wing, while around eight F-15 fighter jets suffered lighter damage before being returned to service.