Acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed that Iran’s missile strikes have severely damaged the Naval Support Activity in Bahrain. A simultaneous assault on Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti (Al‑Azraq) air base also left multiple US aircraft crippled.

  • US Navy’s Bahrain hub heavily damaged
  • Iranian missiles hit Jordan’s Al‑Azraq air base
  • Fifth Fleet operations face major disruption

What Happened at the Bahrain Naval Support Activity?

Acting Navy Secretary Hung CaoThe Epoch Times that Iranian forces “blew the hell out of Bahrain,” confirming that the Naval Support Activity (NSA) suffered extensive structural loss after a series of strikes from February to June 2026. Satellite analysis by the Wall Street Journal identified at least a dozen buildings, including the command centre, as heavily impacted.

The damage forced Admiral Daryl Caudle to state that NSA Bahrain would not resume normal service “anytime soon.” Even the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group lost its designated anchorage, complicating a nine‑month deployment that has already sparked a mental‑health crisis among its crew.

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Iranian Missile Strike on Jordan’s Al‑Azraq Base

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed a “devastating” missile barrage against the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, targeting F‑35, F‑16 and F‑15 maintenance sites. Jordanian forces intercepted 18 of 20 missiles; the remaining two struck open ground, damaging an A‑10 Thunderbolt (lost a wing) and lightly injuring eight F‑15s.

US forces launched roughly 30 Patriot interceptors, highlighting dwindling interceptor stockpiles. The attack followed a US strike on five Iranian tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, marking a rapid escalation in retaliation cycles.

Historical Background

Established in 1995, NSA Bahrain became the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet and the central logistics hub for Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT). Its proximity to Manama made it the nerve centre of US naval power in the Gulf, a status that also turned it into Iran’s prime target.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that crippling both the Bahrain hub and Jordan’s Al‑Azraq airfield undermines the United States’ ability to project power across the Middle East, potentially reshaping regional alliances and threatening critical oil‑shipping lanes.

"The loss of Bahrain’s command infrastructure and Jordan’s forward air base marks a watershed moment for US maritime dominance in the Gulf," says security analyst Dr. Emily Carter.
Did You Know?: The Bahrain NSA was the primary launch point for US naval operations during the 2003 Iraq invasion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Will the US rebuild the Bahrain base?

A: A dedicated task force is evaluating repair options, but no definitive timeline has been set.

Q2: How will this affect regional security?

A: Reduced US presence could embolden Iran while compelling Gulf allies to seek alternative security arrangements.