Bahrain says forces destroyed 115 missiles, 191 drones in Iranian attacks

Bahrain announced Friday that its forces have destroyed 115 missiles and 191 drones since the launch of Iranian attacks on its territory, revealing the scale of the sustained campaign against the Gulf kingdom. The Bahraini army wrote on X that its "Air Defense Systems stands vigilant" against the attacks, which have targeted the island nation repeatedly since the US-Israeli war with Iran began.

Strategic target

Bahrain hosts the US Fifth Fleet headquarters, making it a key target in Iran's retaliatory campaign against American military assets in the region. The kingdom has been among the most frequently targeted Gulf states, with its air defense systems engaged in near-daily interceptions since the conflict began on Feb. 28.

Regional context

Regional escalation has intensified since Israel and the US launched a joint attack on Iran on Feb. 28, killing around 1,300 people according to Iranian authorities, including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and more than 150 schoolgirls. Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. Analysts estimate that more than 3,200 projectiles have been launched toward Israel and Arab countries since the conflict began.

Gulf defense efforts

Bahrain's announcement follows similar statements from other Gulf states, with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait all reporting multiple interceptions of Iranian missiles and drones. The sustained campaign has tested regional air defense capabilities and raised concerns about potential supply depletion, though Gulf governments continue to emphasize their right to self-defense while avoiding direct participation in the US-Israeli military campaign.