Iran Claims Drone Strikes on US Navy's Fifth Fleet HQ in Bahrain

Iranian media has reported missile strikes in Bahrain, as retaliation to American agression. Missiles have made impact, with smoke being seen above the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in Manama, as Tehran responded against American strikes on Iranian territory. An air raid alert was issued in Bahrain, with residents being urged to "remain calm and head to the nearest safe place." Unidentified flying objects were reported in the skies over Bahrain as Iran launched attacks targeting the US Fifth Fleet headquarters. Iran's army said drone strikes targeted the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, including what it described as communication antennas and radar facilities linked to the Patriot air defense system. The report said the operation was carried out following US violations of a ceasefire and strikes on southern Iran. It added that Iranian forces used "various explosive drones" in the attack. The statement said the armed forces remain fully prepared alongside other branches of the military and will continue operations until the "aggressor is punished." According to Iranian state media, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed its naval forces used Shahed-136 one-way attack drones in the operation, conducted at approximately 2:30 am local time. The Fifth Fleet is a numbered fleet of the US Navy responsible for an area of approximately 2.5 million square miles (6.5 million square kilometres), encompassing the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean. It shares a commander and headquarters with US Naval Forces Central Command in Bahrain. Its area of responsibility includes the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world's seaborne oil trade passes daily. The fleet also oversees Task Force 59, the Navy's unmanned and AI-enabled maritime warfare unit There was no immediate confirmation of casualties or damage from the strikes.