Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Acting Navy Secretary Acknowledges Extensive Iranian Damage To Bahrain Base
Iran attacked a United States military base in Bahrain during the early part of a conflict.
The base is an important headquarters for the United States Navy’s Fifth Fleet.
Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said the attacks caused very serious damage.
He described the damage by saying Iran “blew the hell out of Bahrain.”
Cao said the USS Abraham Lincoln’s crew had no place to stop at the base.
A Navy task force is studying whether the base should be repaired and used again.
Earlier officials said no Americans were killed.
They also said the damage did not greatly disrupt military operations, although repairs could cost about $400 million.
Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said Iranian forces “blew the hell out of Bahrain” during the conflict’s early days.
Naval Support Activity Bahrain, headquarters of the United States Fifth Fleet, was repeatedly targeted by Iranian missiles and drones.
Cao said damage left the USS Abraham Lincoln’s crew with “no place for them to pull in.”
A Navy task force is assessing whether the United States should return to and repair the Bahrain facility.
Rebuilding damaged sections was previously estimated at about $400 million, while officials said no Americans were killed and operations were not significantly affected.
- Who
- Iranian forces, the United States Navy, Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao, and the USS Abraham Lincoln’s crew.
- What
- Iranian strikes caused extensive damage to Naval Support Activity Bahrain, prompting a review of repairs and its future use.
- When
- The strikes began after February 28 during the early days of the conflict; Cao’s remarks were reported on September 10, 2026, and the article was published September 11, 2026.
- Where
- Naval Support Activity Bahrain in Bahrain, the headquarters of the United States Fifth Fleet and United States Naval Forces Central Command.
- Why
- Iran launched missile and drone attacks on United States military positions after United States and Israeli forces began striking Iran.
Severe Damage
Limited Operational Disruption
Condition of the facility
Severe Damage
Hung Cao acknowledged severe damage, while reporting and open-source analysis described extensive harm to the Fifth Fleet headquarters and other buildings.
Limited Operational Disruption
United States military officials previously said the damage did not significantly affect operations.
Future of the base
Severe Damage
The damage and the USS Abraham Lincoln crew’s reported lack of space to pull in support considering major repairs, previously estimated at about $400 million.
Limited Operational Disruption
The Navy has not publicly confirmed that it will rebuild or return; Cao said only that a task force is studying the question.
- Base
- Naval Support Activity Bahrain
- Facility role
- Headquarters of the United States Fifth Fleet and United States Naval Forces Central Command
- Reported attacks
- Repeated Iranian missile and drone strikes during the conflict’s early days
- Reported damage
- Extensive damage to command facilities, structural bays, administrative areas, other buildings, and two satellite communications terminals
- Estimated rebuilding cost
- About $400 million for damaged sections
- Reported casualties
- United States officials said no Americans were killed
- Repair review
- A Navy task force is assessing whether the United States should return to and repair the facility
