The United States has now taken direct military action in Israel’s war with Iran. On 22 June, President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes on three fortified Iranian nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—marking the first such attack on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure by the US in decades.
The strikes followed Israel’s initial 13 June offensive. In a televised address, Trump claimed he had “completely, totally obliterated” Iran’s nuclear programme.
Iran was swift to respond. “The Americans should know that any US military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage,” said Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “The US entering in this matter [war] is 100% to its own detriment. The damage it will suffer will be far greater than any harm that Iran may encounter.”
Iran’s retaliation playbook
Tehran has now openly threatened to strike back, naming US forces across the Gulf as targets. At least 19 locations are believed to be within Iran’s sights.
These include military bases in Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, and Egypt. Most are within short missile or drone range.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, “They crossed a very big red line by attacking nuclear facilities… We have to respond based on our legitimate right for self-defence.” When asked about the possibility of closing the Strait of Hormuz, he replied Iran has a “variety of options available.”
He added, “I don’t know how much room is left for diplomacy.”
Why the 5th fleet in Bahrain matters
At the heart of this growing storm is the US Navy’s 5th Fleet, headquartered at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, in Mina Salman Port, Manama. It is now among the most likely Iranian targets.
This base is the command centre for US naval operations across the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean. Its strategic value lies in safeguarding two vital shipping chokepoints: the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb.
NSA Bahrain also hosts the US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT). It supports 15,000 personnel at sea and over 1,000 staff on land. Its primary mission includes anti-piracy patrols, smuggling interdiction, and freedom of navigation in oil-rich waters.
The base is also home to major warships, logistics vessels, anti-mine craft, and US Coast Guard detachments. Originally built and operated by the British Royal Navy in the 1920s, the site has been a US military stronghold since World War II.
Flashpoints across the region
The United States operates a vast network of bases across the Gulf and wider Middle East. These include:
Proxy warfare and oil shock risks
Iran’s so-called Axis of Resistance includes armed groups in Yemen, Iraq, and Lebanon. While Hezbollah has suffered heavy losses from Israeli attacks, the Houthis remain operational and have threatened to resume Red Sea attacks if the US enters the war.
In 2019, Houthi drones—reportedly with Iranian backing—crippled two major Saudi oil facilities. The brief strike halved Saudi oil production, showcasing Iran’s ability to disrupt global energy flows without direct confrontation.
Iran may now deploy a similar strategy across the Gulf. Critical energy infrastructure in Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia remains vulnerable.
And there’s one other lever: the Strait of Hormuz.
Strait of Hormuz: A pressure point
Roughly 20% of the world’s oil passes through this narrow stretch of water. At its tightest, the Strait of Hormuz is just 33 kilometres wide.
Iran has deployed thousands of naval mines and speedboats along its coast. Missiles from its shoreline—or from allied groups like the Houthis—could halt traffic entirely.
Even a brief closure would send oil prices soaring and provoke international pressure on Washington and Tel Aviv. The US 5th Fleet, stationed just miles away in Bahrain, has vowed to keep the strait open. But any incident could trigger global economic fallout.
Iran has several options. It could strike US bases directly. It could cripple oil routes and global supply chains. It could activate its proxies. Or it could abandon all cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and withdraw from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.
According to the IAEA and US intelligence, Iran hasn’t had an organised military nuclear programme since 2003. But the country still enriches uranium to 60%—a technical step away from weapons-grade.
And with its nuclear facilities damaged, Tehran may feel it has nothing left to lose.
The United States and Israel still hold clear military advantages. But history shows superiority doesn’t always guarantee security.
The coming days will reveal whether Iran’s threats are bluffs—or the start of a wider regional war. Either way, the 5th Fleet’s base in Bahrain is now a key chess piece in a much larger game.
And the board is already in motion.
The strikes followed Israel’s initial 13 June offensive. In a televised address, Trump claimed he had “completely, totally obliterated” Iran’s nuclear programme.
Iran was swift to respond. “The Americans should know that any US military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage,” said Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “The US entering in this matter [war] is 100% to its own detriment. The damage it will suffer will be far greater than any harm that Iran may encounter.”
Iran’s retaliation playbook
Tehran has now openly threatened to strike back, naming US forces across the Gulf as targets. At least 19 locations are believed to be within Iran’s sights.
These include military bases in Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, and Egypt. Most are within short missile or drone range.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, “They crossed a very big red line by attacking nuclear facilities… We have to respond based on our legitimate right for self-defence.” When asked about the possibility of closing the Strait of Hormuz, he replied Iran has a “variety of options available.”
He added, “I don’t know how much room is left for diplomacy.”
Why the 5th fleet in Bahrain matters
At the heart of this growing storm is the US Navy’s 5th Fleet, headquartered at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, in Mina Salman Port, Manama. It is now among the most likely Iranian targets.
This base is the command centre for US naval operations across the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean. Its strategic value lies in safeguarding two vital shipping chokepoints: the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb.
NSA Bahrain also hosts the US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT). It supports 15,000 personnel at sea and over 1,000 staff on land. Its primary mission includes anti-piracy patrols, smuggling interdiction, and freedom of navigation in oil-rich waters.
The base is also home to major warships, logistics vessels, anti-mine craft, and US Coast Guard detachments. Originally built and operated by the British Royal Navy in the 1920s, the site has been a US military stronghold since World War II.
Flashpoints across the region
The United States operates a vast network of bases across the Gulf and wider Middle East. These include:
- Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military installation in the region, housing the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing and elements of CENTCOM.
- Kuwait’s Ali Al Salem Air Base, home to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing.
- Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air Base and Eskan Village, key to American air force and personnel training.
- UAE’s Al Dhafra Air Base, host to MQ-9 Reaper drones and the Gulf Air Warfare Centre.
- Iraq’s Al-Harir and Al Asad Air Bases, both historically targeted by Iran-backed militias.
- Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, upgraded in 2018, shared with German and Dutch forces.
Proxy warfare and oil shock risks
Iran’s so-called Axis of Resistance includes armed groups in Yemen, Iraq, and Lebanon. While Hezbollah has suffered heavy losses from Israeli attacks, the Houthis remain operational and have threatened to resume Red Sea attacks if the US enters the war.
In 2019, Houthi drones—reportedly with Iranian backing—crippled two major Saudi oil facilities. The brief strike halved Saudi oil production, showcasing Iran’s ability to disrupt global energy flows without direct confrontation.
Iran may now deploy a similar strategy across the Gulf. Critical energy infrastructure in Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia remains vulnerable.
And there’s one other lever: the Strait of Hormuz.
Strait of Hormuz: A pressure point
Roughly 20% of the world’s oil passes through this narrow stretch of water. At its tightest, the Strait of Hormuz is just 33 kilometres wide.
Iran has deployed thousands of naval mines and speedboats along its coast. Missiles from its shoreline—or from allied groups like the Houthis—could halt traffic entirely.
Even a brief closure would send oil prices soaring and provoke international pressure on Washington and Tel Aviv. The US 5th Fleet, stationed just miles away in Bahrain, has vowed to keep the strait open. But any incident could trigger global economic fallout.
Iran has several options. It could strike US bases directly. It could cripple oil routes and global supply chains. It could activate its proxies. Or it could abandon all cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and withdraw from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.
According to the IAEA and US intelligence, Iran hasn’t had an organised military nuclear programme since 2003. But the country still enriches uranium to 60%—a technical step away from weapons-grade.
And with its nuclear facilities damaged, Tehran may feel it has nothing left to lose.
The United States and Israel still hold clear military advantages. But history shows superiority doesn’t always guarantee security.
The coming days will reveal whether Iran’s threats are bluffs—or the start of a wider regional war. Either way, the 5th Fleet’s base in Bahrain is now a key chess piece in a much larger game.
And the board is already in motion.
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