16 Jul 2026
Iran Claims Strike on US Base in the Kingdom of Bahrain, As Part of Widespread Military Operations.
Iranian forces say they have struck a American military facility in Bahrain, as the country executed strikes throughout the Middle East in retaliation for a "massive" and continuing offensive targeting the nation by the United States and Israeli forces.
Huge plumes of black smoke were seen rising from an area close to the command center of the American Fifth Fleet in Manama, Bahrain. The extent of any destruction is not yet known and the American officials has not commented.
Airspace Engagements
Elsewhere across the region, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait - which all house American military installations - reported they have intercepted missiles in their air space.
In the Qatari capital, the Qatari Ministry of Defence stated it had intercepted several missiles seemingly aimed at the al-Udeid air base, the biggest US military installation in the Middle East.
Operation "Truthful Promise 4"
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard said in a statement it was attacking American facilities and interests as part of military campaign "Truthful Promise 4", in retaliation for the attack on the Islamic Republic initiated by the United States and its ally Israel on Saturday.
That preceding assault - launched at around 06:15 GMT - has so far struck areas linked to the Iranian leadership, with President Trump encouraging the Iranian people to rise up against the leadership.
Additional Developments
In Israel, sirens were heard across the country after the Israel Defense Forces stated it had detected an barrage of missiles from Iran.
The Ministry of Defence of the UAE announced that the nation has been targeted by a "a blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles".
"Emirati air defenses engaged the projectiles with high efficiency and shot down a series of missiles," it added.
Officials reported missile fragments fell on a neighborhood in Abu Dhabi, causing some property damage and killing a civilian.
The US Air Force operates from the Al Dhafra base, south of Abu Dhabi, along with the UAE Air Force.