Deadly Fire Kills One At US Navy’s Fifth Fleet HQ In Bahrain After Iranian Missile Strike

An Iranian missile attack struck near the United States Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, late Sunday, causing a fire that killed one worker and injured two others.

Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior confirmed that “Iranian aggression” targeted maritime facilities near Salman Port. According to the ministry, debris from an intercepted missile fell onto a foreign ship in Salman Industrial City.

A fire broke out onboard the vessel. Authorities said one Asian worker died, and two others sustained serious injuries. Civil Defense teams responded immediately and brought the blaze under control.

Videos circulating online showed a large explosion followed by thick smoke rising from the vicinity of the port area.

Later on Sunday, Bahrain’s military announced it had intercepted 61 Iranian missiles and 34 drones since the escalation began over the weekend.

The military stated that the projectiles targeted civilian facilities and private property. It described the attacks as violations of international and humanitarian law and said they posed a direct threat to regional security.

Officials did not confirm any US military casualties at the Fifth Fleet base. Early reports suggested the explosions seen may have been caused by air defence systems intercepting missiles, not direct hits on buildings.

Video Credits: USA Today/YouTube

The missile launches followed coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes across Iran. Those strikes targeted ballistic missile infrastructure and other military installations.

Iranian officials said more than 200 people had died since the campaign began, including senior leaders. Iranian state media described the missile and drone launches toward U.S. military facilities in Gulf states as retaliatory action.

US President Donald Trump said at least three American service members died over the weekend in operations linked to the conflict and warned that more casualties were possible.

The United States Navy’s Fifth Fleet is headquartered in Manama, Bahrain. Its operational area covers approximately 2.5 million square miles of water, including the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, and parts of the Indian Ocean.

The fleet is responsible for maritime security across 21 countries and safeguards three major chokepoints, including the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal, and the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb.

Any disruption near the headquarters can affect global shipping and regional stability. The Strait of Hormuz alone carries a large share of the world’s oil shipments.

Rising tensions increase risks for commercial vessels, energy exports, and insurance costs across the Gulf.

Per reports, other US-linked bases in Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates were also under threat. Air defence systems in several Gulf states were activated.

Reference: The Express, AOL

Source: Maritime Shipping News