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Port Salman
Nation / PlaceBH

Port Salman

Port complex in Bahrain hosting the US Navy's Fifth Fleet headquarters; struck by IRGC ballistic missiles and drones on 28 June 2026.

Last refreshed: 30 June 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

Why did Iran target the US Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain?

Timeline for Port Salman

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Common Questions
Where is the US Fifth Fleet headquartered?
The US Fifth Fleet is headquartered at Port Salman naval base in Manama, Bahrain, where it has been based since 1995 under a bilateral defence agreement.Source: event
Was the US Navy base in Bahrain struck during the Iran conflict?
Yes. Iran's IRGC struck Port Salman with Ballistic Missiles and drones on 28 June 2026, the first base attack since the 16 June Ceasefire. US officials denied any damage or casualties at the Fifth Fleet headquarters.Source: event
What is the Fifth Fleet's role in the Strait of Hormuz?
The US Fifth Fleet, based at Port Salman, oversees American naval operations in the Persian Gulf including freedom of navigation patrols and mine-countermeasure missions through the Strait of Hormuz.Source: event

Background

The IRGC struck Port Salman with Ballistic Missiles and drones on 28 June 2026, targeting the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in the first base attack since the 16 June Ceasefire. US officials denied damage or casualties; a Qatari civilian died from shrapnel nearby, the conflict's first Gulf-state civilian death.

Port Salman is Bahrain's principal naval facility and home to US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) and the Fifth Fleet since 1995 under a bilateral defence agreement. The fleet commands US operations across the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, and Red Sea, including mine-countermeasure and freedom of navigation missions through the Strait of Hormuz.

As the forward hub for American naval power in the Gulf, the base carries substantial strategic weight. Bahrain condemned the attack as a sovereignty violation. Washington chose a verbal stand-down over military retaliation, prioritising diplomacy over an immediate response.

More questions
Why did Bahrain condemn the June 2026 IRGC missile strike?
Bahrain said the IRGC attack on Port Salman violated its sovereignty and undermined regional de-escalation efforts.Source: event
Source Material
US Naval Forces Central CommandNaval Support Activity Bahrain