Acting U.S. Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed on September 9 that Iranian strikes caused extensive damage to the Naval Support Activity Bahrain (NSA Bahrain), the headquarters of the U.S. Fifth Fleet. In an interview with The Epoch Times, Cao stated, ‘They blew the hell out of Bahrain,’ directly acknowledging the severity of the attack on the key Middle East military facility.
The damage follows months of escalating conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, which began after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran in late February. NSA Bahrain serves as a critical logistics hub for U.S. naval operations in the region, supporting the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the Fifth Fleet. The extent of the destruction has prompted the Navy to evaluate its future use of the base, including potential repairs or alternative arrangements.
U.S. military assessments and responses
The U.S. Navy has formed a task force to assess the damage and determine next steps for NSA Bahrain. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle stated in a town hall on August 31 that personnel would not return to the base “anytime soon”, including to retrieve personal belongings. The Navy has not provided a timeline for when operations might resume at the facility.
In addition to the Bahrain base, Iranian strikes have targeted other U.S. military assets in the region. Multiple U.S. aircraft were damaged in a ballistic missile strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, including an A-10 Thunderbolt with a missing wing and eight F-15 fighter jets with light damage. U.S. forces intercepted the attack with more than 30 Patriot missiles.
Iranian acknowledgment and rhetoric
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi responded to Cao’s remarks on September 11, expressing gratitude for the U.S. official’s candor. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Araghchi stated:
“We appreciate the candor of Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao. Our powerful Armed Forces did indeed ‘blow the hell out of the 5th Fleet HQ in Bahrain,’ as well as other bases supporting U.S. aggression. The American people deserve better than footing the bill for Israel’s wars.”
Araghchi’s remarks framed the attack as retaliation for U.S. and Israeli actions, while also criticizing American support for Israel’s military operations.
Broader regional implications
The damage to NSA Bahrain comes amid heightened tensions across the Middle East, with U.S. forces and Iranian-backed groups engaging in multiple confrontations since late February. The conflict has disrupted traditional supply chains and logistics for U.S. military operations in the region, though the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier has maintained access to essential resources, including clean water and air conditioning, despite operational strains.
The U.S. Navy has not yet announced a final decision on whether to repair NSA Bahrain or explore alternative basing options. The assessment process remains ongoing, with officials emphasizing the need to evaluate both short-term and long-term implications for regional military operations.