Bahrain and other Gulf states that host American bases bore the brunt of Iranian retaliation yesterday after the US and Israel attacked Tehran and other cities in a bid to overthrow its government.
President Donald Trump, who in the biggest foreign-policy gamble of his presidency launched the war against a foe Washington has jousted with for generations, said the strikes were aimed at ending a security threat and ensuring Iran could not develop a nuclear weapon.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who turned the country into a powerful anti-US force and extended its military influence across the Middle East while crushing repeated domestic unrest, was killed in the strikes, a senior Israeli official told Reuters. However, the head of public relations at the Iranian Supreme Leader’s Office dismissed the suggestion and accused the country’s enemies of ‘mental warfare’, Iranian state media reported. “The enemy is resorting to mental warfare, all should be aware,” the public relations official was quoted as saying.
Bahrainis and expatriates were glued to their smartphones for official information about Iranian retaliatory air strikes on the kingdom as missile and drone attacks continued throughout the day and night.
The first blasts were heard over Juffair yesterday morning as the US Navy Base was hit by a missile. At 11.28am, the Interior Ministry issued an alert about a hazard and sirens were activated. Around 20 minutes later, at 11.48am, multiple explosions were heard from the base, as smoke rose from a service centre.
Neighbouring residents fled on foot from the area and leapt into their cars to reach safer ground and many were bused to temporary sanctuaries in schools in Manama.
Explosions continued to be heard and felt across the country, as some missiles were intercepted by the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) air defence system. Smoking rocket debris was seen on the roads around Sanad.
When darkness fell Iranian drones made their entry over the skies of the kingdom setting residential buildings in Hoora, Muharraq and Seef ablaze.
The General Command of the BDF last night announced that its air defence systems had successfully intercepted a further series of hostile attacks launched by Iran yesterday evening.
It confirmed that the situation remained fully secure and under complete control. It also reassured all citizens and residents that the attacks resulted in no casualties or loss of life.
The General Command also announced that Bahrain’s airspace will remain closed as a temporary precautionary measure in response to these unprovoked acts of aggression.
Specialist field units are continuing to secure the sites affected by the attacks to ensure the safety of all citizens and residents. The General Command reaffirmed that the vigilance and operational readiness of BDF personnel stand resolute in thwarting and defeating any aggression against the kingdom’s security and stability.
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